Shashi Tharoor expressed what a million Indian cricket fans thought during the ongoing fifth Test between England and India. The Congress MP called on Virat Kohli to come out of retirement as India faces their third series loss since 2007.

Tharoor acknowledged that he has missed Kohli's presence during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but particularly during the Oval Test, where India failed to disrupt Joe Root and Harry Brook's potentially game-winning partnership.

After Root and Brook put together a 195-run partnership, both batters reached their individual hundreds, saving England from a precarious position of 106/3 in their chase of 374 runs.

Perhaps addressing the BCCI, Tharoor made a sincere appeal, wondering whether there was still a chance to persuade Kohli to reconsider.

"I’ve been missing Virat Kohli a few times during this series, but never as much as in this Test match. His grit and intensity, his inspirational presence in the field, not to mention his abundant batting skills, might have led to a different outcome. Is it too late to call him out of retirement? Virat, the nation needs you," Tharoor posted on X.

On May 12, a few days before the announcement of the India team for the England tour, Kohli declared his retirement from Test cricket.  

With the wickets of Brook and Root, however, the Indian pacers inject vitality into the match, leaving England at 339/6 with four wickets remaining and 35 runs needed to win.