As per reports in the Indian Express, Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI of his willingness to retire from Test cricket. Kohli's decision comes on the back of Rohit Sharma's decision to retire from Test cricket as well. Rohit announced his Test retirement on May 7, 2025.
Meanwhile, the top BCCI officials have requested Kohli reconsider his Test retirement with India set to play a five-match Test series against England.
There were talks of the BCCI and the selectors wanting a young player as the captain of the side after Rohit Sharma's poor record in the format against New Zealand and Australia.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma to be sacked ahead of India's five Tests against England
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BCCI Has Requested Virat Kohli To Reconsider His Retirement Decision
Both Rohit and Kohli have retired from T20I cricket and Kohli's request to retire from T20 cricket was confirmed by sources close to the Indian Express.
“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 this newspaper.
It is further reported that Virat Kohli has been thinking about his future in Test cricket since India's last tour to Australia. India lost the series 3-1 and the batter scored 190 runs in the series overall after a century in the first Test at Perth. His weakness outside the off stump was greatly exposed by the Aussie bowlers.
Kohli has been a key figure in Test match cricket for India in the middle-order. He batted at four for most of his career. Previously, there were the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in the side. However, if he eventually retires from Test cricket, it will leave a big hole in the lineup with the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant all expected to play in the England series.
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Virat Kohli's Test Numbers
As of now, Virat Kohli has scored 9230 runs in the format in 123 Test matches with 30 fifties and 31 hundreds. He averaged 46.9 and maintained a strike rate of 55.6.
