Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has stated, given the fitness Virat Kohli has and the form he is in in white-ball cricket, he should make a comeback to Test cricket to end some unfinished business.

Notably, Virat Kohli retired from Tests in May 2025, after struggling with the bat. He had already retired from T20Is in 2024, after India’s T20 World Cup win. As of now, Virat Kohli only plays ODIs for the Indian team.

He was recently seen in action for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2026 opening game. Kohli made a brilliant 69* as he helped RCB chase Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) total of 201 runs in a record 15.4 overs.

After the IPL 2026 match between RCB and SRH completed, veteran India cricketer Ambati Rayudu urged Virat Kohli to come out of Test retirement. He also urged the BCCI to give him the captaincy to boost drive and hunger.

"I feel his best is yet to come in the IPL. What we have seen is just a trailer. Fitness was never an issue with him. I don't think he would ever get into any trouble with his physical fitness, getting late on the ball, or slowing down on the field. The only thing that can make him take a step back is his mental state. I don't think he's anywhere closer to the end of his career. I still see quality five to six years in him," Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo's ‘Time Out’ show.

“I think he should make a comeback in Test cricket. Hopefully, as a captain. He's been the best red-ball captain that at least I have seen in Indian cricket. He should; the way he's batting, I think it's a loss for Indian cricket,” he added.

Kohli made 9230 runs with 30 centuries in 123 Tests before calling time on his red-ball career. Kohli is widely regarded as the best Indian captain in Test cricket, having led the team to the top spot in the format.

During his tenure, India won its first Test series in Australia in 2018-19. He also guided the squad to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC), when they fell short to New Zealand.

Hence, Rayudu believes that the leadership role would once again bring the best out in Kohli, the Test player.

“It would be a great drive for him if you gave him the captaincy. I think it will be a great challenge for him to win the WTC. He's so fit, so I don't see how that can be a concern,” said Rayudu.

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