Virat Kohli Reportedly Wants to Retire from Test Cricket, Days After Rohit Sharma’s Decision

Virat Kohli has reportedly told the BCCI he plans to retire from Test cricket, following Rohit Sharma's similar recent announcement, stunning fans.

Virat Kohli Reportedly Wants to Retire from Test Cricket, Days After Rohit Sharma’s Decision

Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the BCCI about his wish to retire from Test cricket, following Rohit Sharma's footsteps. (via The Guardian)

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli, shocking fans, has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his intention to retire from Test cricket. Kohli’s admission comes just a few days after Rohit Sharma announced his decision to retire from red-ball cricket. 

According to sources close to the BCCI, Virat Kohli has reportedly communicated his desire to quit, ahead of India’s five-match Test series in England. BCCI officials are in contact with Kohli, and are reportedly urging him to reconsider his decision. It comes just days ahead of the selectors’ meeting to finalize the squad for the England tour, which marks the beginning of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

Virat Kohli’s reported desire to conclude his 14-year Test career has followed India teammate and former captain, Rohit Sharma, who recently announced his retirement from red-ball cricket. Interestingly, both Kohli and Sharma had previously stepped back from playing T20Is together after India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign in the United States and West Indies in the preceding year.

Kohli’s retirement would also mean that two of India’s star batters, him and Rohit Sharma, both holding A+ BCCI annual contracts, will only be available to play ODIs for the national team. Considering the crucial England tour, the BCCI will be hoping that Virat Kohli reverses his decision to retire from Test cricket, as his absence would leave the Indian red-ball team without a key experienced star.

With Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin having already retired, Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are the only senior players around, for the England tour. Adding to this, the BCCI still needs to name a new Test captain, making the prospect of navigating the tour without Kohli’s extensive experience even more challenging for the team’s dynamics and performance.

Virat Kohli stands out as a one of India’s best Test batters of all time, amassing 9,230 runs across 123 matches over the past decade. His consistent performance includes 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, at an average of 46.85. Prior to Rohit Sharma, Kohli held the Test captaincy for India from 2014 to 2022, leading the team in 68 matches and securing 40 victories, enjoying a 58.82 winning percentage.

Many speculate that the 36-year-old’s unexpected decision to step away from Test cricket has been fueled by the criticism surrounding his recent form. Virat Kohli endured a rough patch during the 2024-25 season, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy being his worst outing, where he ended with just 190 runs in five matches. It raised questions over Kohli future, with his recent decision having answered those. 

Nonetheless, keeping aside the criticism, Kohli’s record in England is what would make him a significant player for the upcoming series. He has scored 1,096 runs in 17 matches in England, averaging 33.21, including five half-centuries and two centuries.

Virat Kohli hails Indian armed forces, amid rising cross border tensions with Pakistan

Indian cricket team star Virat Kohli took to social media to share a heartfelt message, in a tribute to the armed forced, amid rising tensions with Pakistan. The 36-year-old batter lauded the armed forces for their operations, following the dreaded Pahalgam terrorist attack. 

Virat Kohli message Indian armed forces
Virat Kohli shared a message in support of the Indian armed forces, amid geo-political tensions. (via Instagram)

Kohli, through a social media post, expressed support, while wishing for the safety of the soldiers, who have been leading the counter-operations against Pakistan. He also praised the soldiers for their unwavering bravery, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for their sacrifices. His tribute came hours after Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma and several other cricketers showed their support for the armed forces.

Moreover, the players’ reactions comes just a day after the BCCI decided to suspend the ongoing 2025 IPL season for a week, amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions. With 16 matches left to be played this season, the BCCI is reportedly considering alternatives for the completion of the tournament.