"Virat Kohli Informed BCCI Weeks Ago About Test Retirement, Says Report"

Virat Kohli has been seriously considering stepping away from Test cricket for the past few weeks, reports suggest.

India's Virat Kohli during the 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy(AFP)

On Saturday morning, Indian cricket fans were shocked by reports that Virat Kohli has decided to retire from Test cricket — a move that could officially close a legendary chapter. Coming just days after Rohit Sharma stepped away from the format, Kohli’s possible exit adds to the feeling of major change in the Indian team. Sources suggest that Kohli's decision wasn’t made in haste, but has been quietly on his mind for several weeks, as the BCCI now faces the tough challenge of rebuilding leadership in a team losing its star players.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Virat Kohli has been speaking with the BCCI for over a month about his wish to retire from Test cricket — a decision that could bring an end to one of the most remarkable Test careers in Indian cricket history.

Rohit Sharma's recent retirement from Test cricket and R Ashwin stepping away during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have already created a major leadership gap in the team. Virat Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, is now the only experienced leader left in the squad. While Shubman Gill is seen as the likely next captain, the team management considers Kohli’s presence—at least as a senior player—crucial during this transition.

At 36, Virat Kohli has played 123 Test matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He led India in 68 of those games, winning 40 and losing just 17 — making him the most successful Test captain in the country's history. His passion, focus on fitness, and aggressive leadership helped shape a new identity for Indian Test cricket.

Kohli’s performance in the past two years has been less impressive. After reaching a career-high average of 55.10 in 2019, his average has dropped to just 32.56. His century in Perth last year was his first in almost 16 months, highlighting the challenges he’s faced in the later stages of his career.

Even if Kohli decides to retire now, he will leave behind a legacy that is hard to match. He hasn't made an official statement yet, but it's expected that he will soon address the growing speculation about his future in Test cricket.