Virat Kohli expresses his intention to retire from Test cricket ahead of the England tour; BCCI urges him to reconsider the decision.
Just three days after Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket, Virat Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his plans to step away from the format as well. This development comes just weeks before Team India’s five-match Test series against England, which begins on June 20, 2025. According to media reports, Kohli has been in discussions with BCCI officials for over a month about his future in the longest format of the game.
BCCI’s current position on Virat Kohli’s decision
The BCCI, however, is not in favour of Kohli retiring at this stage. Senior officials from the Board have reportedly urged him to reconsider, citing upcoming key series and the value of his experience in the squad. India is scheduled to play a challenging Test series in England and Australia, both of which require seasoned players who can handle difficult conditions and pressure situations.
A senior BCCI official, while speaking with NDTV, stated that Kohli’s fitness, leadership qualities, and influence in the dressing room remain significant assets. The board has asked him to delay his decision and reflect further before making it final.
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Virat Kohli’s recent Test form
If Virat Kohli goes ahead with his decision, it will mark the end of a 14-year Test career. He has played 123 matches, scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, and captained the side in 68 of those games. Under his leadership, India won 40 matches and lost 17, making him the most successful Test captain in Indian history.
Although Kohli scored a century in Perth in November 2024, his first Test hundred since July 2023, his batting average has dropped compared to earlier years. From 2023 to 2025, his Test average has been 32.56, a significant decline from his peak years.
Impact on the India Test team
Kohli’s retirement from Tests would leave a notable gap in India’s squad, especially with multiple senior players no longer in the mix. Rohit Sharma has retired, Ravi Ashwin ended his international career during the 2024-25 Australia tour, and players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are not currently part of the squad. Mohammed Shami has only recently returned from a long injury layoff, and his performance is under review. That leaves KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah as the few remaining experienced players in the Test setup.
The absence of Kohli would create a significant leadership and performance void in the middle order. While India has promising young batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the presence of a seasoned player is often crucial in tough overseas conditions. Kohli’s experience in handling pressure, reading match situations, and batting in difficult conditions has been a key asset to the Indian Test side.
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Kohli’s fitness and capability to continue
At 36, Kohli remains one of the fittest players in world cricket. He continues to display high energy on the field, whether it is while batting, fielding, or motivating teammates. His physical condition shows no sign of decline, he still covers ground quickly, takes sharp catches, and can bat long innings under demanding conditions.
Endurance and mental strength are crucial in Test cricket, and Kohli has both. Despite his recent dip in form, he still contributes in ways that go beyond just runs on the board.
Virat Kohli’s illustrious Test career
Virat Kohli’s Test legacy includes not only statistics but also leadership achievements. As captain, he led India to 40 Test wins, the most by any Indian captain. Under his leadership, India reached the top of the ICC Test rankings and made significant progress in overseas tours.
Globally, only Graeme Smith (53) for South Africa, Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41) for Australia have more Test wins as captain than Kohli.
One of Kohli’s most celebrated performances came during the 2018 Test tour of England. He was the highest run-scorer in the series, scoring 583 runs at an average of 59.30, including two centuries. This was seen as a redemption arc after his poor performance on the 2014 tour, where he managed only 134 runs across ten innings.
Kohli’s best individual year in Tests was 2018, when he scored 1,322 runs. His averages in 2016 (75.93), 2017 (75.64), 2018 (55.08), and 2019 (68.00) reflect his dominance during that period. Between 2016 and 2018, he accumulated 3,596 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 66.59, including 14 centuries and eight fifties in 58 innings.
As of now, Kohli is in talks with the BCCI on his retirement. A final announcement is expected before the squad for the England tour is finalised in early June. The BCCI and team management are keen to retain his services for at least one more overseas cycle, especially with challenging conditions in England and Australia. For now, discussions are ongoing, and the situation remains fluid.
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