Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May this year.
Ever since his Test retirement, speculations are rife about Kohli’s international future and whether there's enough fuel in his tank to continue through the grind until the 2027 World Cup. However, the 37-year-old silenced his critics with a breathtaking knock of 135 runs in 120 balls, including 11 fours and 7 sixes.
As Kohli took the Proteas bowling attack to cleaners in Ranchi, the internet was abuzz with reports of the former skipper being asked to come out of Test retirement. The rumours have been gaining momentum following India's 2-0 whitewash in the recent home Test series against South Africa.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia put the speculations to rest, citing that no such conversation has taken place with Kohli, and one shouldn't pay heed to such baseless reports.
“What’s being said about Virat Kohli is just a rumour. There has been no conversation with Kohli about this. Do not give weight to rumours. Nothing of that sort has happened,” Saikia told Aaj Tak.
Earlier in the day, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen reacted to the rumours, opining that Virat and Rohit Sharma should be allowed to come out of Test retirement if they really want to play the longest format once again.
“I don’t always believe what I read in the media or on social media. But, if it’s half true that both Virat and Rohit are considering playing Test cricket again, then it needs to be taken very, very seriously,” Pietersen wrote.
“The survival of Test cricket is a hot topic of conversation, and if the biggest stars in the game want to play it again, they must play,” he added.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May this year. He played an instrumental role in India's red-ball resurgence over the past decade with his aggressive captaincy, prolific batting and unmatched intensity on the field.
Kohli led his country in 68 Test matches and suffered defeat in only 17 of them. With 40 wins and 11 draws, he boasts a remarkable win percentage of 58.82, making him the most successful Test captain in India's history.
As a batter, Kohli ended his Test career with 9230 runs from 123 matches at an average of 46.85. He hit 30 centuries and 31 fifties in total, with the highest score of 254 to his name.