KKN Gurugram Desk | In a surprising turn of events, cricket icon Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of India’s much-anticipated England tour, scheduled to begin on June 20, 2025. The decision has ignited a storm of speculation within the cricketing community and among fans worldwide. Was this Kohli’s personal decision, or was he subtly pushed out of the red-ball format?
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has added fuel to the fire by alleging that lack of support from BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar played a crucial role in Kohli’s decision to exit the longest format of the game.
When Kohli made his retirement announcement, tensions between India and Pakistan were at a peak. As a result, his exit from Test cricket didn’t receive the immediate attention it deserved. But with geopolitical tensions easing, the cricketing world has started scrutinizing the timing and context of his decision.
The silence from BCCI and selectors has only intensified the intrigue. While Kohli did not publicly elaborate on the reasons, Kaif’s statements suggest that the veteran batter may have been sidelined rather than voluntarily stepping away.
In a recent interview, Mohammad Kaif revealed that Kohli was actively preparing for the England tour. He had even participated in domestic cricket, playing in the Ranji Trophy after returning from India’s tour of Australia earlier this year. This clearly indicates that Kohli had no immediate intentions to retire from Test cricket.
Kaif stated:
“Kohli was gearing up for the England tour. He returned from the Australia series and played domestic cricket in February. That proves he was still invested in the Test format. But something changed. The message he might have received from the selectors was that he no longer had a place in the Test XI.”
Kohli played the Ranji Trophy earlier this year – a rare move for senior players.
The England tour selection meeting was scheduled, but he announced retirement just before it.
Selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, reportedly didn’t show intent to retain him in the red-ball squad.
Kaif hinted that internal communication within BCCI might have played a role. According to him, selectors possibly highlighted Kohli’s declining form over the past five to six years in Test cricket. This could have been conveyed to the player as a justification for his omission from future red-ball assignments.
“There must have been some internal conversations. Perhaps the selectors felt that based on his Test form in the last few years, he doesn’t fit in anymore. We might never know exactly what happened behind the scenes.”
The notion that one of India’s most successful Test captains and batters was quietly phased out instead of celebrated raises serious concerns about the player-management ecosystem within Indian cricket.
Before diving deeper into the controversy, it’s important to revisit Kohli’s contribution to Indian Test cricket. He has been one of the most prolific batters in the modern era, and under his leadership, India achieved unprecedented success in red-ball cricket.
Matches Played: 113
Runs Scored: 8,848
Centuries: 29
Average: 49.2
Captaincy Record: 40 wins out of 68 matches – India’s most successful Test captain
His aggressive brand of leadership redefined India’s overseas approach, including historic series wins in Australia and strong performances in England and South Africa.
Kohli’s fans have expressed shock and disbelief at his retirement. The manner of exit — a quiet announcement without a farewell Test match — did not sit well with many. Fans on social media are demanding answers from BCCI, questioning why a player of Kohli’s stature did not get the farewell he deserved.
“A legend like Kohli deserved a farewell Test at Lord’s, not a silent exit.”
“Is this how we treat our best? No respect, no send-off match?”
“This seems more like forced retirement than a personal decision.”
Selectors might have pointed to Kohli’s form in recent years, but a deeper analysis reveals inconsistency, not incompetence. His century drought between 2019 and 2022 did raise concerns, but he bounced back with solid innings in 2023 and 2024, especially during the Australia and South Africa series.
Runs: 578
Average: 41.28
50s: 5
100s: 1
Strike Rate: 53.1
Not outstanding, but certainly not the form of someone beyond consideration.
One of the most notable aspects of this situation is the complete silence from BCCI and the selection committee. Neither Board President Roger Binny nor chief selector Ajit Agarkar has publicly addressed Kohli’s retirement or given an explanation. This silence has been interpreted by many as tacit confirmation of the rift.
In contrast, BCCI has organized grand farewell matches for players like MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid. The absence of such a gesture for Kohli is glaring.
The cricketing fraternity appears divided on whether Kohli’s retirement was mishandled.
Sunil Gavaskar: “Kohli should’ve been given the choice to play one final Test.”
Harsha Bhogle: “It’s unfortunate that one of India’s finest walked away without fanfare.”
Sanjay Manjrekar: “Maybe the timing was right. Kohli himself is a proud man; he may have decided not to be a burden.”
Aakash Chopra: “This is modern cricket. No one is bigger than the game.”
This difference of opinion reflects the complexity of modern sports management — balancing performance, legacy, and the team’s long-term vision.
Despite stepping away from Tests, Virat Kohli remains available for ODIs and T20Is. He is expected to play a key role in the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026. Kohli’s form in white-ball cricket has remained consistent, with strong IPL performances and impactful international innings in the past 18 months.
Kohli’s Test retirement might just be the beginning of a larger generational shift in Indian cricket. Other veterans like Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane are also facing uncertain futures.
The BCCI could be planning a strategic rebuild around younger talent like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. But if this transition means unceremonious exits for legends, it raises serious questions about cricketing culture and respect for contribution.
Whether Kohli chose to step away or was nudged out, the manner of his Test retirement has left a sour taste. One of Indian cricket’s most celebrated sons deserved a more respectful send-off, possibly with a farewell Test at a venue like Lord’s or Eden Gardens.
If indeed selectors decided to move on, it could’ve been handled with transparency and dignity — something every champion deserves.
This post was published on May 15, 2025 15:30
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