Reports about India veteran Virat Kohli telling the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he wishes to retire from Test cricket shocked the cricketing world this morning. Earlier this week, former India Test captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from red-ball cricket, the news of which was also surprising to say the least.
Kohli, by his lofty standards, had a poor New Zealand and Australia series in the last few months. As per reports, he was already thinking of retirement from the format during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the BCCI is planning to have a chat with him in order to convince him to continue playing in the format.
Although time will tell what Kohli decides former cricketers and fans are urging the batting maestro to stay on. After Ambati Rayudu, it is West Indies legend Brian Lara who wants Kohli to rethink his decision. Lara feels Kohli will be convinced by the Board to continue playing red-ball cricket. The 56-year-old even claimed that Kohli will average more than 60 in the remaining part of his Test career if he plays on.
“Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded. He is NOT going to retire from Test cricket. @virat.kohli is going to average above 60 for the remainder of his Test career. #testcricket #thebest,” said Lara on Instagram.
Also Read: ‘Too much happening in my career’ – Virat Kohli sheds light on why he quit captaincy
Although Kohli’s alleged decision appears to have come out of the blue some experts are speculating that it might have been influenced by the impending new WTC cycle. WTC 2025-27 begins with India’s England tour from June 20 and the team management might be thinking of building a group which can go the entire distance and this thus influenced Kohli’s reported decision.
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