Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has shared his two cents on reports of Virat Kohli informing the BCCI of his decision to quit Test cricket. This comes a month before India is set to travel to England for the five-Test series starting June 20. This will also mark the start of India’s new WTC cycle.

Virat Kohli's expertise will be crucial for India in the forthcoming five-match Test series against England, according to Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has asked the star Indian batsman to reconsider his decision to retire from Test cricket.

However, Navjot Singh Sidhu believes Virat Kohli's timing to step away from the red-ball format is not correct.

"Virat Kohli’s decision — that he wants to retire — has created a stir across the cricketing world. His intention is right, his motive is noble — that 'the old order must change, yielding place to the new.' But the timing and occasion are not appropriate, because the pride and prestige of India are on the line," Sidhu said in a video posted on X.

"We are heading into a tour that is the toughest litmus test even for other Test-playing nations. Why do I say that Kohli can be our 'knight in shining armor' in England? Because he has the experience, especially after Rohit Sharma's departure. You can’t send an inexperienced side to England," he added.

Sidhu also cited the example of legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who played for India under a high fever in a crucial fixture during the 1987 ODI World Cup.

“In the 1987 ODI World Cup, which was my debut tournament, Sunil Gavaskar was down with a high fever. Captain Kapil Dev asked Gavaskar whether he was fit, and the reply came, 'skip 50-50.' Kapil Dev, with a smile on his face, said, 'Sunil Gavaskar at 50 percent is much better than anyone in this world at 100 percent. The same goes for Virat Kohli," he said.

Navjot Singh Sidhu also stated that Virat Kohli should be India’s Test captain for next year, as a new player is groomed to take over.

“He should be India's stop-gap captain for the next six and seven months and lead India from the front," he added.

Here is the video:

An incredible 14-year Test career in which he amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 Tests, including 30 hundreds, would come to an end if Virat were to retire. With 40 victories in 68 Test matches as captain, he is also India's most successful Test captain ever.