In a development that has sent shockwaves through Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his intention to retire from Test cricket ahead of India’s tour of England 2025. The decision has prompted the BCCI to urge the legendary batter to reconsider.
Virat Kohli Test Retirement
Virat Kohli’s desire to step away from red-ball cricket is not sudden. Reports suggest he has been contemplating retirement since the Border-Gavaskar series in December 2024. Despite scoring a century in the first Test of that series, his overall performance saw a decline, managing only 190 runs across five matches. Over the past five years, Kohli has accumulated 1,990 runs in 37 Tests, with just three centuries—a noticeable dip from his earlier dominance.
The mental strain of playing under constant scrutiny has also weighed on the Team India batter. Speaking at an event for Royal Challengers Bangalore in March, he admitted to feeling the pressure of expectations, stating,
“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”.
The BCCI, recognizing Kohli’s immense contribution to Indian cricket, has urged him to reconsider his decision, especially with the crucial England tour approaching. His departure would leave India’s middle order significantly weakened, particularly after Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from Test cricket.
With Kohli’s potential exit, India faces a leadership void in the red-ball format. The selectors are now tasked with finding a suitable replacement, with young talents like Shubman Gill expected to take on greater responsibility.
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What’s Next for Virat Kohli?
While Kohli has yet to make an official announcement, fans and cricketing experts are hopeful that he will reconsider. His legacy in Test cricket is undeniable—123 matches, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries. Whether he chooses to step away or continue, his impact on Indian cricket will remain unparalleled.
For now, the cricketing world waits for Kohli’s final decision, hoping to see him don the whites for a little longer.
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