Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has reacted to the reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might cajole veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into returning to Test cricket.

Cricbuzz reported that 'the idea has begun to float' about approaching Virat Kohli to reconsider his retirement. The report also stated that a recently retired player may be 'open to a rethink' regarding his Test career.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket in May, just a few days before the India squad for the England tour was to be announced.

The development comes on the heels of India's 2-0 home series victory over South Africa. Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, blamed it on 'transition,' noting the squad's inexperience.

Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kohli have all ended their Test careers since he took over last year. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane lost popularity in the previous Rahul Dravid-led management.

While there is no conflation of the report from the BCCI or the players themselves, ex-England captain Kevin Pietersen has stated that even if reports of Rohit and Kohli returning to Test cricket are half-true, it is needed for the survival of Test cricket.

“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. 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!” Pietersen posted on X.  

Before they retired from Test cricket, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were struggling in the red-ball format. Rohit Sharma had been in dire need of runs and even benched himself for the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. Kohli had scored a ton in the first Test in Perth, but his form tapered off as the series progressed.