Virat Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his intention to retire from Test cricket ahead of India’s five-match series against England, which begins on June 20.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Kohli has been discussing the matter with BCCI officials for over a month.
Despite his retirement plans, selectors still expect him to be part of the squad for the England tour.
Kohli’s Glorious Test Career Nears Its End
If Kohli goes ahead with his decision, he will close the chapter on a 14-year-long Test career.
He has represented India in 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85.
As captain, he led the team in 68 matches, winning 40 and losing just 17, making him India’s most successful Test captain.
His 40 Test victories place him fourth on the all-time list of most Test wins as captain.
Virat Kohli’s Form Dip In Recent Years
Kohli’s form in Test cricket has seen a dip over the past two years.
His century in Perth in November 2024 marked his first Test hundred since July 2023, when he scored against the West Indies in Port of Spain.
His batting average, which peaked at 55.10 after his unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019, has dropped to 32.56 over the last 24 months.
Team Management Still Values Kohli’s Experience
Despite the dip in form, the Indian team management values Kohli’s experience, especially with a new captain expected to lead the side in England.
With Rohit Sharma announcing his retirement from Test cricket earlier this week, Shubman Gill is likely to take over the reins.
Kohli and Rohit remain in the BCCI’s elite A+ contract category, reserved for players active across all three formats.
However, both had retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup victory last year. If Kohli proceeds with his Test retirement, he and Rohit will continue playing only ODI cricket.
India’s Test Squad In Transition
India’s Test squad is undergoing a significant transition. Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin have retired, while Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are currently out of contention.
Mohammed Shami’s recent form has been inconsistent since returning from injury. Kohli now stands as one of the few remaining senior players alongside KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Historic Performance In England
Kohli’s association with England includes some of his finest performances. In 2018, he topped the series run charts with 583 runs at an average of 59.30, including two centuries.
That performance came after a dismal 2014 England tour, where he managed only 134 runs in ten innings, making the 2018 series a personal redemption.
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