In a move that has sent ripples through the Indian cricketing fraternity, talismanic batter Virat Kohli has reportedly expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket. According to sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the 36-year-old stalwart recently communicated his intention to step away from the longest format of the game. Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, has been a cornerstone of India's red-ball resurgence over the past decade. His aggressive captaincy, prolific batting, and unmatched intensity have helped transform India into a formidable Test side both at home and abroad.
With over 9,000 runs and 30 centuries in the format, Kohli's presence at the crease has been nothing short of iconic. However, the BCCI is not ready to let go of the veteran batter just yet. Sources indicate that top officials have reached out to Kohli, urging him to reconsider his decision, especially with significant tours on the horizon. India is set to embark on a challenging overseas calendar, including tours to England and Australia - series where Kohli's experience could prove invaluable.
“He's still incredibly fit and hungry. His presence in the dressing room lifts the entire team,” said a senior BCCI official on condition of anonymity. “We've requested him to take some time before making a final call.” While Kohli has not made any public statement on the matter, fans and former cricketers alike have flooded social media with messages of support, hoping the modern-day legend gives the format another stint. For now, Indian cricket waits - with bated breath.
Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, 2025. Kohli also thinking along the same lines will leave India's red-ball batting order largely on the shoulders of youngsters in the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, beginning with the five-match Test series against England in Leeds on June 20.
ESPNcricinfo understands that Kohli has been having these conversations with officials of the BCCI for the past month or so. If Kohli doesn't change his mind, he will bring the curtain down on a glorious career that has spanned 14 years and included 123 Tests - 68 of them as captain - in which he has 9230 runs at an average of 46.85.
However, it hasn't been a particularly fruitful time in the format for Kohli of late. When he scored 100 not out in the Perth Test in November 2024, it was his first century in Tests since July 2023 (against West Indies in Port of Spain), and his average, 55.10 at its peak after he scored his career best of 254 not out vs South Africa in Pune in 2019, has been 32.56 over the last 24 months. Despite that, it's understood that the team management and selectors expect his experience to be crucial on the tour, where India will also be playing under a new captain - Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to take over from Rohit Sharma following his retirement from Test cricket earlier this week.
Kohli, as well as Rohit, were included in the highest category (A+) in the latest BCCI contracts, which is usually meant for players who play all three international formats. Both Kohli and Rohit had retired from T20Is after India won the World Cup last year, and if Kohli does retire from Tests, they will only be available for ODI cricket going forward.
With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not in the mix at the moment, and Mohammed Shami's form under scrutiny after his return from a long injury layoff, Kohli is among the only seniors around, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. Before Rohit replaced Kohli as India's Test captain, India had won 40 of the 68 games in which Kohli led, losing just 17. The 40 wins make Kohli India's most successful Test captain of all time - MS Dhoni with 27 from 60 and Sourav Ganguly with 21 from 49 rank below him - and also places him at No. 4 on the overall list of captains with the most Test wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 from 109), Ricky Ponting (48 from 77), and Steve Waugh (41 from 57).
It was in England that Kohli had recorded one of his greatest highs as a Test batter, on the 2018 tour. He was the top run-getter across the two sides in the five Tests, aggregating 583 at an average of 59.30 with two centuries. That it came after he had scored just 134 runs in ten innings on the previous tour in 2014 made the performance that much more special. That year, 2018, was also his best in terms of aggregate for a year, when he scored 1322 runs.
During his golden run, he averaged 75.93 in 2016, 75.64 in 2017, 55.08 in 2018, and 68.00 in 2019. During that period between 2016 and 2018, Kohli scored 3596 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 66.59, with 14 hundreds and eight fifties in 58 innings. Now, as Kohli contemplates his future, the cricketing world watches closely. His decision could significantly impact the Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming Test series against England.
As the cricketing community waits for Kohli's final decision, the stakes couldn't be higher. The upcoming tour marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle, and without Kohli, the Indian team will have to navigate through a challenging landscape with a squad that is still finding its footing.
In summary, the cricketing world is abuzz with speculation as Virat Kohli considers stepping away from Test cricket. His remarkable career, filled with records and accolades, is now at a crossroads. Will he heed the BCCI's call to reconsider, or will he move forward with his decision? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Kohli's legacy in Test cricket is undeniable.
