3 Reasons Why Struggling Virat Kohli Hasn't Announced His Test Retirement

Anurag Dasgupta∙ Updated: Jan 3 2025, 6:10 PM

Reasons revealed for Kohli's retirement delay [Source: AP Photos] Reasons revealed for Kohli's retirement delay [Source: AP Photos]

Virat Kohli's current slump is worse than his downfall during the 2020-22 seasons. At-least during that period, he was scoring fifties but was unable to convert them into the big hundreds. However, this time around, Kohli has found himself in deep water with no way out.

Barring a century in the second innings of the Perth Test, Kohli has been found out on the outside the off stump deliveries and has consistently been dismissed on the same line and length against the Aussie bowlers.

Eyebrows were raised when skipper Rohit Sharma was dropped for the SCG Test, but Kohli retained his place. The champion batter produced yet another flop show on Friday and was dismissed for another low score. People have now demanded Kohli to retire from Test cricket, but he hasn't thought about that decision yet. Here are 3 possible reasons why Kohli is delaying his Test retirement.

3) Nearing 10,000 Test runs mark

At the moment, he has scored 9224 runs in 123 Test matches, and needs just 776 runs to become the third Indian batter to score 10,000-plus runs in both Tests and ODI format. This will make him enter an elite list of players to have achieved this significant feat.

The only two Indians who have scored 10,000 runs in both ODIs and Tests are Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Scoring so many runs in Tests is a significant milestone and Kohli is perhaps trying to surpass it before he calls time on his career.

2) Trying to end his Test career at his new home country

As per reports, Virat Kohli has already shifted his base to England and will stay there after his retirement. India will play their next Test series against England in July 2025. He has had his fair share of luck and love with the English grounds and perhaps is trying to wind up his career at his new home - England. 

Hence, if he could score some runs in the ongoing Sydney Test, there might be a chance for him to prolong his career till the England tour.

1) The youngsters aren't ready yet

As seen in the ongoing series, the younger lot isn't ready to take the next step forward in the absence of the senior pros.

Barring Yashasvi Jaiswal and to some extend, Nitish Kumar Reddy, the others have not done well, and Kohli feels there is still some room for improvement as the senior players fade towards twilight.

The younger players have a lot to learn and understand about Test cricket and there is no one better than Kohli to guide them towards a safe future.