Reports: Virat Kohli hinted at Test exit during BGT 2024-25

Virat-Kohli. (Photo source: X)

Indian veteran reportedly gave several indications to his teammates about his desire to retire from Test cricket during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Even though he scored a century in the series opener, the ace batter managed only 190 runs across nine innings.

The right-hander expressed his intention to step away from the Test format ahead of the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. But now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested the senior batter to reconsider his decision.

The news comes in the wake of Rohit Sharma’s recent announcement to retire from Test cricket which added to the surprise and concern. During the Australia tour, the top-order batter was frustrated following multiple dismissals in a similar manner and reportedly told teammates on multiple occasions that he was done with Test cricket.

The Delhi-born cricketer was not the only one struggling, but the other top-order batters Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill also failed to make a consistent impact during the series.

The 36-year-old had earlier stepped down from Test captaincy after India’s 2021–22 away series loss to South Africa. He subsequently renounced leadership roles in white-ball cricket and also gave up captaincy at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Indian team management is now looking to the future and is reportedly considering as a potential leader for the Test side.

"A new WTC cycle is starting. Future and continuity has to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can't be any stop-gap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven't been ideal for the team and the England series is very crucial," said a source as quoted by The Times of India.

The five-match Test series between India and England will kickstart the 2025-27 WTC cycle from June 20.