End of an Era? Virat Kohli Firm on Test Retirement Despite BCCI’s Plea

Virat Kohli has sent shockwaves among the Indian cricket fans and the cricket fraternity all around the globe by expressing his desire to quit Test cricket once and for all. The former and India’s most successful Test captain is not showing any willingness to take the flight to England, where India is due to play a 5-match Test series in June-July.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tries to convince Virat Kohli

As per a report, Virat Kohli is keen to quit the longest and purest format of the game and has already communicated the same to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee. However, the board is refraining from accepting Kohli’s Test retirement proposal.

According to the Times of India, Kohli was urged to reconsider his decision to retire from Test cricket, particularly after Rohit Sharma announced a shocking retirement from the format a week back. However, he remains firm in his stance. Reports suggest that the BCCI has engaged in discussions with Kohli, emphasizing the crucial role he plays in India’s relatively inexperienced middle order. Despite their concerns, the veteran batter appears resolute in his decision.

“Kohli had informed the selectors two weeks ago about his desire to quit Tests. They were trying to persuade him to play in the Test series against England. However, he is still firm on his stance. The final call will come close to the selection meeting next week.”

Virat Kohli has struggled in the format in recent times

One of the greatest batters of this era, Virat Kohli, has failed to live up to his name in the purest format of the game. The 36-year-old averaged 54 before 2020, but there has been a stark dip in the average since then. After 2020, it’s been 5 years now, and his average is just 30, which clearly states the decline of form.

Virat had a demeaning tour of Australia earlier this year. After scoring a fabulous 7th ton on Australian soil in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth, Kohli failed to break the barrier of 40 runs in his rest 8 innings on the trip. Many suggested that Kohli made up his mind to bid adieu to the longest format of the game; however, none of his teammates took Virat’s notion seriously.

When will India’s tour of England squad be announced?

India’s squad for the upcoming England Test tour is expected to be announced around May 19-20. The selection committee is finalizing the squad, with discussions centered on leadership and middle-order stability following Rohit Sharma’s retirement and speculation around Virat Kohli’s future in Test cricket.

Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan is being considered to fill Rohit Sharma’s boots in Test cricket. The southpaw will be considered as the next opening option for Team India and will partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. As far as the Test captaincy is concerned, Punjab batter Shubman Gill’s name is doing the rounds.

The 25-year-old is the frontrunner to take the reins from Rohit Sharma, especially when the selectors have moved aside from Jasprit Bumrah, whose injury-prone body won’t be a great step going ahead. Gill had a meeting a few days back with India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar regarding the same, and it’s almost certain that Gill will be India’s next Test skipper.

The five-match Test series will begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marking India’s first assignment in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The India A squad, which will play preparatory matches against the England Lions, is likely to be announced earlier, around May 13. Team India is surely in a transition stage and this tour is going to be really crucial for them.