Former India skipper Virat Kohli is mulling Test retirement and has communicated his decision to the BCCI, ESPNCricinfo reported on Saturday (May 10).

According to the report, Kohli has been having the conversations with the BCCI regarding hanging up his boots from Test cricket for the past month or so.

While Kohli 9230 runs to his name from 123 Tests, he hasn't had a fruitful time in the longest 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.

Kohli also endured an underwhelming home season as India suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand. As a result, his Test average has dipped to 46.85.

However, the team management and selectors feel his experience will be crucial on the tour of England and Kohli might be asked to reconsider his decision.

This development comes just days after Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket with immediate effect. Both Kohli and Rohit had earlier stepped away from T20Is following India's World Cup triumph in Barbados last year.

With Rohit calling time on his Test career 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.

Veteran batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have fallen out of favour with the national selectors lately. Mohammad Shami, after return from an extended injury hiatus, is yet to play a red-ball game. Hence, India might lack experience and Kohli's presence could be crucial.

If Kohli decides to retire, the onus will be on Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul to deliver the goods. Reportedly, Gill could be named the Indian captain for the England tour, starting on June 20 in Leeds.