Virat Kohli Considers Test Retirement, BCCI Urges Reconsideration Ahead of England Tour

Virat Kohli has communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he wishes to retire from Test cricket. However, senior officials have requested him to rethink his decision, according to The Indian Express.

BCCI Requests Kohli to Delay Retirement

“He has made up his mind and has informed the board that he is moving on from Test cricket. The BCCI has urged him to rethink as the crucial England tour is coming up. He is yet to revert on the request,” sources revealed.

Kohli’s decision follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement. With the selectors set to name the squad for the five-match England series soon, his potential absence adds to the uncertainty.

Test Future Under Consideration Since Australia Tour

It is understood that Kohli has been reflecting on his Test career since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia earlier this year. Although he scored a century in the opening Test, a prolonged slump followed.

Should Kohli stick to his decision, India will have a less experienced middle order to support KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, with Rishabh Pant down the order.

His and Rohit’s absence means the loss of two seasoned leaders who have guided the Test side for over a decade.

Shubman Gill Likely to Take Over Captaincy

Kohli became India’s Test captain in December 2014, with Rohit taking over in February 2022. Recently, it was reported that selectors were looking to appoint a younger player for the next Test cycle. Shubman Gill is considered the frontrunner.

Kohli’s Test Record and Recent Form

At 36, Kohli has played 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His average has declined over the past five years, with 1,990 runs in 37 matches and only three centuries.

On the Australia tour, he averaged just 23.75 across five Tests, falling to deliveries outside off stump seven times in eight dismissals.

Mental Pressure and Acceptance

Speaking at an RCB event in March, Kohli said, “I might not have an Australia tour again in me in four years’ time.”

Addressing the mental strain, he added, “Once you start taking on the energy and the disappointment from the outside, then you start burdening yourself way more… And then you start thinking about things, like ‘I’ve got two or three days left on this tour, I need to make an impact now’. And you start getting more desperate. That’s something I’ve surely experienced in Australia as well.”

He further reflected, “Because I got a good score in the first Test. I thought, ‘right, let’s go’. There’s going to be another big series for me. It doesn’t turn out that way. For me, it’s just about the acceptance of ‘okay fine, this is what happened. I’m going to be honest with myself. Where do I want to go? What are my energy levels like’.”

Already Retired from T20Is, Kohli Remains in Form

Having already retired from T20 Internationals after India’s World Cup win in the West Indies last year, Kohli remains in form in the IPL. He has scored 505 runs in 11 matches with seven fifties at a strike rate of 143.46.

He also spoke about a conversation with Rahul Dravid that helped him regain clarity. “It pretty much comes down to just the pure joy and enjoyment and love for the game. And as long as that love is intact, I will continue to play the game. I have to be honest about that with myself.”

Dravid told him, “My competitive streak would not allow me to accept it. Maybe one more. Maybe six more months, whatever. So, I think it’s a fine balance. And you have to just pray and hope that you get clarity when it comes.” Kohli now seems to have found that “clarity.”

MSK Prasad Reacts to the Decision

Following the announcement, former chief selector MSK Prasad expressed shock. “I didn’t expect this, actually. I felt that he has that in him to play at least this cycle. But we have to respect his opinion.”

He added, “It is very, very unfortunate that he has taken this decision. I am so very sad to know that in spite of the effort by the BCCI and the team management, he has taken this call.”

Kohli’s Legacy as Test Captain

Kohli, who succeeded MS Dhoni as captain, transformed India into a formidable Test side. He is India’s most successful Test captain, with 40 wins from 68 matches and a win percentage of 70.17.

Prasad praised Kohli’s unmatched intensity. “So when it comes to Test cricket… the kind of energy that Virat brings to the team or to the Test match… I think it is second to none. It’s unbelievable.”

He also credited Kohli for backing a five-bowler strategy and building India’s pace battery. “It is one of those reasons why our past bowlers have thrived.”

The Road Ahead for India

With both Kohli and Rohit retiring, the upcoming England tour marks a new phase. Head coach Gautam Gambhir must identify a reliable No.4 and rebuild leadership.

Prasad believes the challenge may be manageable since England too is in transition. “England is also going through a transition phase only. They are not at their best. The only advantage that they have is that they are playing at home.”

He concluded, “Like KL Rahul. Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal. Some of them have been in England in the last 4-5 years… So it’s going to be interesting to see which of the young units is going to come out successful.”