Virat Kohli Informs BCCI of Test Retirement Plans, Board Urges Him to Reconsider
New Delhi: In a development that could reshape the future of Indian Test cricket, batting legend Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI of his intention to retire from the longest format of the game. The Indian cricket board, however, has requested him to reconsider his decision, especially with a crucial five-Test tour of England around the corner.
Kohli Ready to Move On
According to sources quoted by The Indian Express, Kohli has made up his mind and communicated to the board that he wants to “move on from Test cricket.” The BCCI has since urged him to hold off, hoping the former captain might change his stance with a marquee England tour approaching.
Kohli’s decision follows Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement, which was announced just a few days ago. With both senior-most players potentially out of the picture, India’s Test team could enter a transition phase, led by younger players with limited experience in the format.
India Staring at an Inexperienced Middle-Order
If Kohli stands firm, the middle-order will likely be composed of rising stars such as Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Rishabh Pant returning to the lower-middle order. While all are talented, none possess the level of experience Kohli and Rohit bring, especially in overseas conditions like England.
The selectors are expected to meet soon to finalize the squad for the England series. As per reports, Shubman Gill is the front-runner to take over Test captaincy, marking a new era for Indian cricket.
The Decline and Reflection
Kohli, now 36, has played 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 29 centuries. But his form in the last five years has been less dominant. Since 2019, Kohli has scored just 1,990 runs in 37 Tests at an average of around 35, with only three centuries.
During the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Kohli managed just 190 runs in 5 Tests at a modest average of 23.75, exposing technical flaws, particularly against deliveries outside the off-stump.
Speaking about his struggles at a recent RCB event, Kohli admitted to the mental burden he experienced.
“Once you start taking on the energy and the disappointment from the outside, then you start burdening yourself way more… I’ve got two or three days left on this tour, I need to make an impact now. And you start getting more desperate.”
Kohli also said he questioned whether he had the energy for another long foreign tour, suggesting retirement was on his mind since that series.
A Legacy Beyond Numbers
Kohli became India’s Test captain in December 2014, leading the side for over seven years with unmatched passion and aggression. He transformed India’s pace attack, revolutionized fitness culture, and took the team to the top of the ICC rankings. His partnership with coach Ravi Shastri is widely regarded as one of the most influential eras in Indian Test history.
From T20s to Tests — A Gradual Goodbye
Kohli had already retired from T20 internationals after India’s T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies last year. But his current IPL 2025 form shows he’s still got plenty left in the tank. With 505 runs in 11 matches and a strike rate of 143.46, Kohli remains a T20 force.
In the same RCB event, he shared a candid moment about a chat with Rahul Dravid, who reminded him that his “competitive streak” might prevent him from stepping away easily.
“Maybe one more. Maybe six more months, whatever. It’s a fine balance… you have to just pray and hope that you get clarity when it comes.”
What Next for Team India?
If Kohli officially confirms his retirement, India will enter the new Test cycle without two generational icons. While the young core shows promise, the lack of experience and leadership could be a challenge—especially in seaming English conditions.
For now, the ball is in Kohli’s court. The BCCI and Indian fans wait, hoping the king of Indian cricket might just have one more red-ball roar left in him.
