Virat Kohli reportedly told some of his Indian teammates many times that he was “done” with Test cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. At the time, most didn’t take Virat Kohli’s comments seriously, as reported by the Times of India.
Actually, the Australia tour was long and mentally draining, and Kohli himself didn’t have a great run with the bat, scoring just 190 runs in nine innings, including a single century early in the series. For a player who once dominated in Australia, this was far from what the Kohli fans were used to seeing.
I’m done: Virat Kohli informed India teammates on Australia tour
So, many felt the dashing right-hander had just said it out of frustration, but now it emerged that he had conveyed his decision to BCCI, but some top officials requested him to reconsider his decision as India has a very important Test series against England ahead.
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Well, after a disappointing Test series, India shifted its focus to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the excitement of a multi-nation tournament pushed talk of Kohli’s Test future to the back seat. But while others moved on, Kohli had already started thinking seriously about retiring from Tests.
Kohli’s private message to the BCCI was a big surprise to them, as they still saw him as a key player for the upcoming England tour. Despite his recent struggles, the former Indian captain was still in the Test plans, as his experience and presence will be key for the side.
BCCI wants Virat Kohli to reconsider Test retirement decision
While BCCI and the think tank want Kohli to reconsider his decision and be part of the upcoming five-match Test series in England. But at the moment, everything depends on Kohli himself. It seems that the Indian batting maestro has made up his mind, but for now, selectors and the board wait for his final decision.
Earlier, Virat Kohli had shown interest in leading the Indian Test team again, but the BCCI didn’t entertain the idea. With an eye on the future and the start of a new World Test Championship cycle, the BCCI wanted to groom a young captain, so they declined Kohli’s offer.
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Shubman Gill is likely to become India’s next Test captain
It is being said that Shubman Gill has been seen as a future leader, and the BCCI is focused on building a new core rather than revisiting past captaincy options. Gill is currently the vice-captain of India’s ODI team and captain of Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2025.
A BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI: “A new WTC cycle is starting. The future and continuity have to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can’t be any stopgap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven’t been ideal for the team, and the England series is very crucial.”