BCCI aims to reverse Virat Kohli's Test retirement decision

BCCI aims to reverse Virat Kohli's Test retirement decision (Photo Source - Getty Images)

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is expected to hold discussions with regarding his reported decision to retire from Test cricket. A highly influential personality in Indian cricket is anticipated to meet the legendary batter to convince him to continue in the traditional format of the game.

The meeting is expected to take place ahead of the squad selection for the upcoming five-match Test tour of England. The selection committee is set to pick the squad tentatively on 23 May. While the exact venue for the selection committee meeting remains unconfirmed, the BCCI has also planned a media conference to introduce the new Test skipper. Former Test captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the red-ball format on Wednesday, 7 May.

Meanwhile, the India A squad, which will also tour England, is expected to be selected in the next couple of days. The BCCI has previously managed to convince players, as they did with Rohit Sharma, to give up captaincy in Tests. It is understood that there may have been some discussions with the aforementioned influential personality before Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket via his social media account.

There is an air of optimism surrounding a potential U-turn from Kohli with regard to his Test retirement decision. The board also wants to understand what has led the former India captain to consider stepping away from the format. Initially, it was believed that the 36-year-old intended to skip the England tour alone. However, the reported decision to permanently part ways with the format has shocked the cricket fraternity.

Kohli nears 10,000 runs, Gill frontrunner for Test captaincy

Kohli has represented India in 123 Tests since making his debut in 2011. He is only 770 runs short of reaching 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Kohli had averaged over 50 for a very long time in Tests, but a recent dip in form has seen his average drop to 46.85.

India will have a new captain in red-ball cricket, with Shubman Gill being the frontrunner. Having Kohli's experience on the England tour would help Shubman ease into the new role.