Dilip Vengsarkar Comments on Virat Kohli's Potential Test Retirement

Vengsarkar's Expectations for Kohli's Future

In Navi Mumbai, former Indian cricketer and ex-selector chief Dilip Vengsarkar expressed his belief that Virat Kohli would continue his Test career until the upcoming England tour. However, he emphasized that the decision to retire rests solely with Kohli and should be honored.

As India gears up for a challenging five-Test series in England, Kohli's recent announcement to retire from Test cricket after a remarkable 14-year journey, during which he played 123 matches, has sent ripples through the cricketing world.

Vengsarkar, who amassed 6,868 runs in 116 Tests with 17 centuries, remarked, "I anticipated he would play in the England series and retire afterward. This series will be demanding, and his unexpected retirement could impact the team's performance."

"Kohli is an exceptional and seasoned player. Ultimately, it is his personal decision, and given his 16-18 years in the sport, it deserves respect," he added.

Throughout his Test career, Kohli has participated in 123 matches, accumulating 9,230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a highest score of 254*. He ranks as India's fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history, trailing behind legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Kohli made his Test debut in June 2011 against the West Indies. Although his initial tour was disappointing, he quickly established himself with aggressive performances, notably scoring his first Test century against Australia in 2012, where he made 116 runs off 213 balls. During that series, he was the top scorer for India, amassing 300 runs across four Tests.

From 2011 to 2015, Kohli scored 2,994 runs in 41 Tests at an average of 44.03, with 11 centuries and 12 fifties. His peak performance came between 2016 and 2019, where he recorded 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an astonishing average of 66.79, including 16 centuries and 10 fifties, along with seven double centuries, the most by any captain in Test cricket.

However, the 2020s have been less favorable for Kohli, with only 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at a disappointing average of 30.72, featuring three centuries and nine fifties. His performance improved in 2023, where he scored 671 runs in eight Tests at an average of 55.91, including two centuries and two fifties.

Throughout his career, Kohli has faced challenges, particularly against deliveries outside the off-stump and spin bowlers. He concluded last year with just 382 runs in 10 Tests at a concerning average of 22.47, with only one century and fifty.

His most recent Test appearance was during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia from November to January, where he managed 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, with a century in Perth marking a highlight. This century was his first since July 2023 against the West Indies.