Ambati Rayudu Wants Virat Kohli to Make a ‘Comeback’ in Test Cricket

Following India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory, Virat Kohli retired from T20Is and exited Test cricket in 2025, now focusing exclusively on the ODIs.

Ambati Rayudu Wants Virat Kohli to Make a ‘Comeback’ in Test Cricket

Ambati Rayudu urged Virat Kohli to return playing for India in the longest format. (via NDTV Sports)

Mesmerized by Virat Kohli’s display during the 2026 IPL opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu made a rallying cry. Rayudu urged the veteran batting icon to make a return to playing red-ball cricket. 

Virat Kohli starred in RCB’s season opener against SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, marking his return to action after a two-month break. Chasing down a 202-run target, he remained unbeaten, while scoring a remarkable 69 runs off 38 deliveries.

He unleashed a range of shots during the chase, including a breathtaking lofted straight drive in the 7th over. His knock included five fours and the same number of sixes as well, at a strike-rate of 181.58. 

Kohli’s impactful display even triggered a change of heart in former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu, who is otherwise known for his blunt critiques against RCB, made during his IPL commentary stint. The 40-year-old, however, speaking on ESPN Cricinfo after the match, suggested that Kohli still has a lot of top-tier cricket left in him and that the former Indian captain could go on for five to six years. 

Ambati Rayudu surprised everyone by urging the 37-year-old to reverse his retirement decision, while also noting that Kohli should be made captain of the Indian red-ball side on his return. The view was echoed by former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar.

Rayudu further stated that Kohli is by far the ‘best’ red-ball captain he has ever seen and that his retirement from the longest format is a loss for Indian cricket. He said during an ESPN Cricinfo show:

I don’t think he [Virat Kohli] is anywhere close to the end of his career. I think he still has five or six years left in him… he should make a comeback in Test cricket as well, hopefully as a captain.

Kohli had announced his retirement from Tests, midway through the previous IPL season. It followed a disastrous outing for the batting icon during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 1-3. Virat Kohli called time on his red-ball career without getting past the 10,000 run-mark, with his individual tally standing at 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.

Nonetheless, both Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirements from the longest format ushered in a new era for the Indian cricket team. With Sharma also bowing out at the same time, the selectors decided to appoint young Shubman Gill as India’s Test captain. 

Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Duffy power RCB to explosive start of IPL title defense

RCB’s 2026 IPL campaign got off to an explosive start, as they defeated SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The defending champions secured a dominant victory by six wickets, with Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Jacob Duffy putting up impressive displays. 

Virat Kohli RCB vs. SRH
Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal and Jacob Duffy starred as RCB defeated SRH in IPL 2026 opener. (via ProBatsman)

SRH opted to bat first, but lost openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma by the third over. Stand-in captain Ishan Kishan, however, continued with his great form, scoring 80 runs off 38 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes. Contributions from Heinrich Klaasen (31 off 22) and Aniket Verma saw SRH reach a competitive 201/9 in the end. For RCB, Jacob Duffy’s spell of 3/22 won him the POTM award.

The visitors, moreover, looked toothless in bowling, with Phil Salt’s early wicket being the only exception. Devdutt Padikkal scored a quick-fire 61 runs off 26 balls, forging a 101-run stand with Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 69 runs. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar also chipped in with a brisk 31 runs, before Kohli took his team over the line in the 16th over. For SRH, David Payne picked up two scalps.

The defending champions will next take on arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings at home, in a week’s time. Meanwhile, SRH will be looking to bring an end to their shaky start when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on April 2.

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