“I Am Done”- Virat Kohli Gave Test Retirement Hit To Teammates In BGT 2024-25

On multiple occasions during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25), Virat Kohli gave hints of his Test retirement to his teammates about how he had been done with the longest format after four struggling red-ball fixtures.

Many didn’t take it seriously after a tough trip for the national side. The veteran started the series with a fine unbeaten century during the second innings of the opening Test at the Optus Stadium. But the graph didn’t go up from there on.

Virat Kohli’s struggling Test form

Before the Australian tour, Virat Kohli managed 93 runs in six innings at home against New Zealand at an average of 15.50, shouldering just one half-century. It came during the second innings of the first Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Also Read: 5 Indian Players Whose Careers Flourished Under Virat Kohli’s Captaincy

Winning the Perth Test gave confidence to the blue brigade. Kohli played with great determination and a strong mindset in Perth to celebrate his century. However, he kept repeating the same mistake for the last four games, fishing for the balls outside the fourth and fifth stump line.

He ended the series with 190 runs in nine innings, with 90 runs coming in eight innings apart from the century. The veteran returned to play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 after the trip, which indicated his strong focus on the format.

BCCI desires Virat Kohli to reconsider Test retirement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) got the news, with the batter reaching out to them to inform the decision. It was a bold move from the blue moment for many as they kept Kohli in the scheme of things for the upcoming England tour.

Just two days ago, Rohit Sharma, the Indian Test captain, retired from the longest format immediately. Now, with Virat Kohli’s retirement from the format, it will be a huge blow for the side to be on a difficult trip without two experienced campaigners.

It’s worth remembering how Kohli expressed his wish to lead the side when Rohit decided to omit the fifth Sydney Test. However, the selectors aimed at the future and wanted to groom a young leader for the upcoming third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.

Jasprit Bumrah led the side in that game. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are other options to lead the side during the upcoming England series.

After the England trip, India will host the West Indies and South Africa at home for five Tests. Things will be a little easier at those two series, but before that, they will face the acid test.

Shubman Gill is likely to lead India in Tests

Gill is likely to be the future leader of India after Rohit’s retirement. He has done a fantastic job in the Indian Premier League, and being a young player could be the right person to be the new red-ball captain.

Also Read: 5 Indian Players Who Can Break Virat Kohli’s Test Captaincy Record

“A new WTC cycle is starting. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period.” The BCCI source was quoted as expressed by the Times of India.

“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.” They explained. But will the selectors go for Gill, who is not successful with the bat in overseas Tests, even after having experienced options like KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah in the longest format?