Ambati Rayudu Appeals to Virat Kohli to Continue Test Career
Rayudu's Emotional Plea
In a heartfelt message, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has urged Virat Kohli to reconsider his potential retirement from Test cricket. This appeal comes in light of recent reports indicating that Kohli may be contemplating stepping away from the format, as communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Context of the Appeal
The speculation about Kohli's retirement surfaced shortly after his teammate Rohit Sharma announced his own retirement from Test cricket. This announcement comes just ahead of India's ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign, which is set to begin with a series of five crucial Tests against England starting June 20 at Headingley.
Rayudu's Message to Kohli
Rayudu expressed his belief that Kohli still has a lot to contribute to the Indian team. He emphasized that the Test format would lose its essence without Kohli's presence. In a post on X, Rayudu stated, "Virat Kohli, please don’t retire. The Indian team needs you now more than ever. You have so much more left to give. Test cricket will not be the same without you fighting for Team India. Please think it over."
Kohli's Impressive Career Stats
If Kohli decides to retire, it would conclude a remarkable 14-year journey in Test cricket, during which he has amassed an impressive 9,230 runs in 123 matches, averaging 46.85, including 30 centuries. He holds the record as India's most successful Test captain, with 40 victories out of 68 matches.
Recent Retirements in Indian Cricket
In addition to Rohit Sharma, renowned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket last year during the Australia tour. With other senior players like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara absent from the current setup, and Mohammed Shami's form declining after an injury, Kohli stands as one of the few experienced players left, alongside all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Kohli's Recent Performance
In his last Test series during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Kohli struggled for runs, accumulating only 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75. His century in Perth was a notable highlight, marking his first since July 2023 against the West Indies.