Kohli’s shocking decision leaves BCCI stumped ahead of what is shaping up to be a crucial away test series against England.
Kohli’s shocking decision leaves everyone in a lurch.
Ahead of the crucial five-match series in England that begins on June 20, for which he is anticipated to be included in the squad, Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI of his intention to retire from Test cricket. For the past month or so, Kohli and BCCI executives have been holding these discussions.
Kohli will end a spectacular 14-year career that includes 123 Test matches, 68 of which he played as captain, and 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 if he doesn’t alter his mind.
However, Kohli hasn’t had a very successful run in the format lately. He achieved his first century in Test cricket since July 2023 (against the West Indies in Port of Spain) when he scored 100 not out in the Perth Test in November 2024. His average, which peaked at 55.10 following his career-best 254 not out against South Africa in Pune in 2019, has been 32.56 over the past 24 months.
Nevertheless, it is known that the selectors and team management anticipate that his background would be very important during the tour, where India will also be playing under a new captain.
In the most recent BCCI contracts, Kohli and Rohit were placed in the highest category (A+), which is typically reserved for players who participate in all three international forms. Following India’s World Cup victory last year, both Rohit and Kohli had retired from Twenty20 Internationals. If Kohli does retire from Test cricket, they will only be eligible for ODI matches moving ahead.
R Ashwin, who resigned from international cricket during the 2024–25 series in Australia, is the only player missing from India besides Rohit. Kohli is one of the only seniors present because Mohammed Shami’s form is being questioned following his return from a protracted injury layoff, and Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are currently out of the picture.
India won 40 of the 68 matches under Kohli’s leadership and lost just 17 before Rohit took over as Test captain. In addition to ranking fourth on the list of captains with the most Test victories, behind Graeme Smith (53 from 109), Ricky Ponting (48 from 77), and Steve Waugh (41 from 57), Kohli’s 40 victories make him India’s most successful Test captain of all time. Sourav Ganguly, with 21 from 49, and MS Dhoni, with 27 from 60, rank below him.