Virat Kohli Signals Test Cricket Retirement During Border-Gavaskar Trophy
In a bombshell development that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Virat Kohli, one of India’s greatest Test batsmen, has reportedly hinted at walking away from the longest format of the game. During the grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in Australia in late 2023, Kohli repeatedly reminded his Team India colleagues that he might be done with Test cricket. While his comments were initially dismissed as tour fatigue, recent revelations suggest he was serious about stepping away.
The BGT was a challenging campaign for Kohli. Despite a century in the opening Test at Perth—his 30th in Tests, adding to his staggering tally of over 9,000 Test runs—his form dipped alarmingly. Across nine innings, he managed just 190 runs, with that lone hundred accounting for more than half his tally. For a player who has set unparalleled standards Down Under, averaging over 54 in Australia prior to this series, this slump was a stark deviation from his storied legacy.
Teammates and support staff reportedly didn’t take his retirement murmurs seriously during the tour, attributing them to the physical and mental toll of a demanding series. However, Kohli’s intentions became clearer when he approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) before discussions for the upcoming England Test series, expressing his desire to retire from Test cricket. This decision caught many by surprise, as selectors and team management had penciled him in for the crucial five-match series in mid-2024.
Adding layers to this unfolding drama is Kohli’s expressed interest in reclaiming the Test captaincy, a role he relinquished in 2022 after a remarkable stint that saw India dominate at home and abroad. However, the BCCI, with an eye on the future, declined his request. The board has identified Shubman Gill as the next in line to lead, focusing on continuity as a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins. A source close to the developments told TimesofIndia.com, ‘Future and continuity must be prioritized. Coach Gautam Gambhir needs a core group of players for the long haul. Stop-gap solutions won’t work for a series as critical as England.’
The England series holds immense significance for India, especially after underwhelming performances in recent Test campaigns. Kohli’s potential absence at the iconic No. 4 position could leave a gaping void in a batting lineup already grappling with transition. Fans and pundits alike are left wondering whether his decision stems from a dip in form, the captaincy snub, or a deeper personal call to prioritize other formats and commitments.
Outside the BCCI, several stalwarts of Indian cricket have urged Kohli to reconsider, believing his experience and aura are vital for the team’s success in challenging overseas conditions like England. With 80 Test centuries across formats and a legacy as one of the modern game’s finest, his exit from Tests would mark the end of an era. However, as things stand, the ball is firmly in Kohli’s court.
As the cricketing fraternity awaits official confirmation, the question looms large: Is this truly the end of Virat Kohli’s Test journey, or will the King reclaim his throne one last time? Only time will tell, but for now, Indian cricket braces for an emotional farewell to one of its biggest icons.