BCCI Didn't Ask Virat Kohli To Reconsider Test Retirement - Report

Rajgeeta Yadav

Virat Kohli likely to retire from Test cricket [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Virat Kohli likely to retire from Test cricket [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

The buzz around Virat Kohli's possible retirement from Test cricket has been growing, leaving fans on edge. Recently, news broke that Kohli informed the BCCI about his plans to quit Test cricket, causing heartbreak among his supporters. 

Some reports even suggested that the BCCI, in a panic, asked Kohli to reconsider, especially with India's five-Test series against England coming up on June 20. However, Virat Kohli hasn’t confirmed his final decision yet.

BCCI Did Not Request Kohli to Stay

Contrary to earlier reports, a piece from The Dainik Jagran presents a completely different story. According to their sources, the BCCI did not ask Kohli to change his mind. Instead, they made it clear that his place in the Test team was uncertain due to his recent lackluster performance. 

During his last Test series in Australia, Kohli managed just 190 runs in five matches, averaging around 23. His standout moment was scoring a century in Perth, but besides that, his numbers were disappointing. In the prior series against New Zealand, he scored only 93 runs in six innings, averaging a mere 15.50.

"The BCCI does not request anyone. A player's decision is his personal choice. We don't interfere in it," Jagran quoted a source as saying. 

Adding to the tension was India's 0-3 Test series defeat at home, their first such loss in 12 years, which also meant they missed the World Test Championship final. 

On May 7, a meeting in Mumbai resulted in Rohit Sharma being informed that he no longer fit in the Test squad, and apparently, Kohli received a similar message. When asked if Kohli would be part of the England tour, the official remarked, "Hopefully not."

End Of An Era?

If Kohli does retire, it will mark the end of a stellar 14-year Test career. In 123 Tests, he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. As India's most successful Test captain, he led the team to 40 wins out of 68 matches. During his peak years from 2016 to 2019, Kohli scored 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, with 16 centuries.

However, his performance has dipped since 2020, managing just 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at an average of 30.72, with only three centuries in the last few years. His most recent significant performance came in 2023 when he scored 671 runs in eight Tests at an average of 55.91, including two centuries. Sadly, his form dropped again by the end of that year, with just 382 runs from 10 Tests.