In a development that could mark the end of an era in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his desire to retire from Test cricket, according to sources within the board. The Indian Express first reported the news, stating that top BCCI officials have since reached out to Kohli, requesting him to reconsider his decision, especially with the high-stakes England tour just weeks away.
Kohli’s Decision Sends Shockwaves Through Indian Cricket
As per reports, Kohli has made up his mind but has not yet provided a final response to the board’s appeal. “He has informed the board that he wants to move on from the longest format. The BCCI has urged him to rethink his decision given the upcoming England Test series. He hasn’t given a final word yet,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying.
Kohli’s potential departure from the Test arena comes just days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format, further deepening the leadership vacuum in the Indian red-ball setup. The selectors are due to meet shortly to finalise the squad for the five-Test tour of England, which begins next month.
Kohli’s Red-Ball Journey: A Storied Legacy
Virat Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, has been a cornerstone of India’s rise in Test cricket over the last decade. Under his leadership, India achieved the No. 1 Test ranking multiple times and reached the World Test Championship Final in 2021. He also led the team to historic Test series wins, including the memorable triumphs in Australia in 2018–19 and laying the groundwork for the 2020–21 series.
In 113 Test matches, Kohli has scored over 8,600 runs, including 29 centuries, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest modern-day Test batsmen. His aggressive leadership, fitness-first approach, and focus on fast bowling depth transformed India into a dominant force in the longest format of the game.
Recent Form and Growing Introspection
Sources say Kohli had been contemplating retirement from Tests since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia earlier this year, where, despite starting strong with a century in the first Test, he struggled for consistency in the subsequent matches. That, combined with a mounting workload and his growing commitment to family life and other ventures, is believed to have influenced his thinking.
While he has stepped back from captaincy and no longer plays T20 Internationals, Kohli continues to feature prominently in the ODI and IPL circuits. His exit from Tests would effectively mark the beginning of the final chapter of his international career.
A Transitional Phase for Indian Test Cricket
If Kohli does follow through on his decision, it will leave a massive void in the Indian Test batting lineup. With Rohit Sharma already out, the team’s leadership group and middle-order will be significantly weakened. The pressure will mount on the likes of KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant to carry the baton forward.
While Rahul and Gill have shown flashes of brilliance, they lack the experience and temperament that Kohli brought to high-pressure matches, especially overseas. Pant, who is returning after a long injury layoff, has yet to prove his consistency over a full Test cycle.
The selectors will now face the challenge of grooming the next generation while ensuring a smooth transition during the England series — one of the most difficult assignments for any touring side.
What’s Next?
The BCCI is expected to give Kohli some time and space before making a final announcement public. Officials are hopeful that the significance of the England tour, combined with the need for senior voices in the dressing room, might lead Kohli to reconsider, even if temporarily.
“He’s still one of the fittest and most driven cricketers in the world. Test cricket needs players like Kohli. It would be a huge loss, not just for India but for the game itself,” said a former India player familiar with the situation.
As of now, fans, players, and cricketing pundits alike are waiting with bated breath for Kohli’s final decision — one that could define Indian cricket’s red-ball future.
