Virat Kohli Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, Focuses on ODIs

Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, a decision that has taken many by surprise, especially with the upcoming England tour. Former coach Ravi Shastri believes Kohli still has much to offer in Test cricket and should have led the team in England. Kohli's impressive record includes over 9,200 runs in Tests, just shy of the 10,000 mark. Shastri speculates that Kohli's decision may be influenced by mental fatigue and predicts he will step away from the game entirely after his ODI commitments. This shift marks a significant change in Kohli's cricketing journey.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 19, 2025, 20:25 IST

Kohli's Retirement Decision

Virat Kohli recently declared his retirement from Test cricket, following his exit from T20 Internationals last year. He will now exclusively participate in One Day Internationals. This announcement came just before India's tour of England, surprising many former cricketers. However, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri expressed that Kohli should have taken part in the England tour and even considered captaining the team. Shastri also mentioned that Kohli might drift away from the sport after stepping back.

Kohli's Impressive Test Career

Throughout his career, Kohli has played 123 Test matches for India, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. He is just 770 runs shy of reaching the 10,000-run milestone.

Shastri's Insights on Kohli's Future

In an interview with a sports publication, Shastri expressed confidence that Kohli still has two more years of Test cricket left in him. He would have liked to see Kohli in England this summer, suggesting that it would have been a good opportunity for him to lead the team. Shastri speculated that Kohli's decision might stem from mental fatigue, as he is aware of his physical condition compared to other players in the team.

Shastri further noted that while Kohli is committed to serving Indian cricket through ODIs, he believes Kohli will distance himself from the game after retirement. He does not see Kohli as someone who would enjoy coaching or taking on broadcasting roles. Shastri emphasized that Kohli has always been a fighter, never backing down in challenging situations.