Virat Kohli has reportedly expressed his desire to retire from the longest format of the game.
India’s star batter Virat Kohli has reportedly expressed his desire to retire from the longest format of the game ahead of the team’s much-anticipated five-Test tour of England.
According to multiple sources close to the BCCI, the 36-year-old has communicated his decision to the board. This development comes just days after Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career with immediate effect.
While Kohli has 9230 runs and 30 centuries to his name from 123 Tests, he hasn't had a fruitful time in the traditional format of late.
During India’s last Test series against Australia, the batting stalwart slammed a second innings hundred (100*) at Perth but managed to amass only 90 runs in his other eight innings combined.
The age-old problem of fishing outside the off stump led to Kohli’s downfall during the BGT 2024-25. As a result, his career Test average has dropped to 46.85.
Despite the underwhelming display, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has urged Virat Kohli to reconsider his reported decision to retire from Test cricket.
"Virat Kohli, India's Babbar Sher wants to relax. He is thinking about retirement. I think he should go to England, prove his point and end his career on a high note. Because of the work he did in the T20 World Cup, he should end his career on a good note. Is he thinking about retirement out of helplessness? Because there is one kind of delivery that has been troubling him for many years. The ball bowled outside the off stump," Kaif said in a video shared on social media platform 'X'.
"When the ball was bowled in the fourth-stump channel, he got out many times. It was such a trouble that he couldn't get over it. In his career, he went to England and got out there. In Australia, he got out here. At home, against New Zealand, he got out to spin. He tried a lot," he added.
Kaif said while Kohli has been trying his best, he hasn’t been able to get rid of his weakness - the deliveries bowled outside the off stump. However, he still wants the talisman to travel to England and end his career on a high.
"He tried very hard. His effort was 200 per cent. He always comes to play every match. But it didn't happen. I saw for the first time that Virat Kohli was out of form after scoring 100 in Australia. This has never happened," said Kaif.
“He scores in every match if he gets a century in the series opener. He keeps scoring. You won't be able to dismiss him. He has been such a hero of India. Go to England, play well and end your career on a high note. This is my prayer for him. His fans will also pray for him," he further remarked.
Virat Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, has played a key role in India's red-ball resurgence over the past decade. His aggressive captaincy, prolific batting and unmatched intensity helped India dominate Test cricket both at home and abroad.
With Rohit hanging up his boots from Tests and R Ashwin pulling the curtains down during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah will be the only two seniors starting the England tour, if Kohli does remain adamant on his call.
There are reports claiming that Shubman Gill could be named the Indian captain for the England tour, starting on June 20 in Leeds.