Kohli forced to retire from Tests? Former Team India selector drops a shocker
Former Team India selector and Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach Sarandeep Singh has dropped a bombshell: He claims that Virat Kohli had no plans to retire from Test cricket and was aiming to score at least three to four hundreds in the upcoming Test tour of England! Was Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket forced? We may never know what happened behind the scenes, but Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach and former Team India selector Sarandeep has confirmed that Kohli has no plans to retire until at least February. Sarandeep, who expressed shock to have heard about Virat’s retirement, claimed during their conversation at the time, Kohli confirmed plans to play for India ‘A’ team in England to prepare for the five-match Test series that starts on 20 June. “Only he knows the reason (for his retirement). Everyone is shocked,” Sarandeep said while speaking to Star Sports. He added, “There was no sign of it. Neither did I hear from anyone else about this. Look at the way he is performing in the IPL. He is in good form. The Delhi coach was shocked because Kohli has been in sublime form in the Indian Premier League (2025), scoring over 500 runs in 11 innings at an impressive strike rate of 143.47. Sarandeep further revealed that the last time he had a conversation with Kohli, he was keen on doing well on the England tour. He had laid out a plan to succeed in the upcoming Test series.” Sarandeep continued, “He wanted to play a couple of India A matches to get ready for this all-important series. “I asked him if he would play a couple of County Cricket matches before the England tour. He said, ‘No Paaji, I am looking to play India A matches. Two India A matches where I will prepare for the Test series.’ He had a settled plan. Suddenly, seeing him end his red-ball career is surprising. He doesn’t have any fitness issues, no form issues,” he revealed.
Rajkumar Sharma’s emotional tribute to Virat Kohli after Test retirement
As the cricketing world comes to terms with the end of an era following Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, heartfelt tributes have poured in from every corner. Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, who played a pivotal role in shaping the cricketer’s early years, penned an emotional message. Sharma posted on Instagram, reflecting on Kohli’s journey from a spirited young boy to one of the finest Test players of the modern era. ‘From a young boy with dreams in his eyes to a legend who conquered the red-ball arena — your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, Virat. Watching you grow, fight, lead, and inspire has been the greatest joy of my life. You redefined passion and dedication. Test cricket will miss your fire, but your legacy will live forever. Grateful for every moment shared in this incredible journey.’ In his Test career, the 36-year-old made 123 appearances in white clothing, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings and the best score of 254*. He is India’s fourth-highest run-getter in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs). He ended last year with just 382 runs in 10 Tests at a shocking average of 22.47, with just one century and fifty in 19 innings. His last Test outing was the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia from November-January, where he made just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, with his century at Perth being a highlight. That century was his first since July 2023, when he hit a ton against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 2023. Also, his last century at home came against Australia in early 2023 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Ahmadabad.
The players who can replace Virat Kohli at number four in Tests
Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket came up just one month before India’s tour to England. The team now face the challenge of replacing Kohli at number four. Here are the contenders for the spot. Sarfaraz Khan Sarfaraz Khan’s prolific run-scoring in domestic cricket earned him a Test debut against England in Rajkot in 2024. The 27-year-old notched up his first Test century later that year against New Zealand. Despite warming the bench during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Sarfaraz remains a strong contender for the number four spot in the long run. KL Rahul India’s perennial crisis man in recent years, KL Rahul has shuffled between the top and middle order based on the team’s needs. With the departure of the team’s best batter, Rahul, known for his compact technique, could now be a natural choice for the number four spot. Shubman Gill Shubman Gill has long been touted as the future of Indian Test batting. At 25, he’s already played 32 Tests since his debut in Australia in 2020. Although he’s mostly batted at the top of the order or number three, Gill’s shot-making ability makes him a strong contender for the number four spot. A move to this position could be the spark needed to elevate his Test career, which has so far shown promise. Sai Sudharsan The only player on this list yet to make his red-ball debut, Sai Sudharsan has been steadily establishing himself as a future all-format star for India. The left-handed batter made his international debut in the ODI format against South Africa in 2023 but has since played just four international matches. However, his strong performances during the India A tour of Australia late last year, along with another standout IPL season, could prompt selectors to hand him a Test cap in the upcoming series against England.
Kohli says goodbye to test cricket finally
After days of speculation, Indian cricket great Virat Kohli has confirmed his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect in an emotional post on Instagram. After India Test captain Rohit Sharma confirmed his retirement from the longest format of the game, reports of Kohli communicating the same intent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) emerged, sending shockwaves across the cricketing spectrum. It was reported that the board is in talks with Kohli to make him change his mind, but it seems that the outcome was unsuccessful. “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever,” he wrote on social media. Virat also said that the decision to call it quits wasn’t an easy one, but it felt ‘right’ to him. “As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for everyone who made me feel seen along the way.” Kohli played 123 Tests for India, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with the highest score of 254. Be it home or away, Virat ruled the roost with his bat, making his runs do the talking. However, he will probably have one regret, not reaching the 10,000 run mark in Tests. Kohli’s retirement from the longest format of the game adds to the exodus of Indian veterans. Ravichandran Ashwin (in December) and Rohit Sharma (last week) have already called it quits, and now Virat has become the third one to follow suit. There have been talks over the future of senior pacer Mohammed Shami in the Test team too.
Virat wants to retire from Test cricket also; BCCI reportedly asks him to rethink
Virat has told the BCCI that he wishes to retire from Test cricket ahead of the England Test series, but top officials have asked him to reconsider his decision! According to a report by The Indian Express, Kohli’s decision came just days after Rohit Sharma decided to retire from Test cricket. According to media reports, the selectors will be meeting in a few days to determine the squad for the five-match Test series against England, and if both Virat and Rohit are not available, they will have a huge task at hand. The report further claimed that Kohli has been contemplating retirement since the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his disappointing show earned him a lot of criticism. “He has made up his mind and has informed the board that he is moving on from Test cricket. The BCCI has urged him to rethink as the crucial England tour is coming up. He is yet to revert on the request,” sources told the Indian Express. If Kohli doesn’t change his mind, and with Rohit out of the picture, it will leave India with a largely inexperienced middle-order to join forces with KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, and Rishabh Pant later down the order. Besides, the team will be left without the guiding hands of two veterans who, between them, have led the Test team for nearly 11 years till now. Kohli became India’s Test captain in December 2014, followed by Rohit in February 2022.
