In a surprising move, Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, sparking a wave of speculation and debate. Some Indian media outlets have claimed that his decision was influenced by a lack of synergy with new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Others suggest that pressure from the BCCI might have played a role.
However, The Indian Express reports a different story: Kohli’s retirement was purely personal. According to the newspaper, the former Indian skipper made the decision in order to spend more time with his family.
Kohli’s announcement comes just five days after Rohit Sharma also stepped away from Test cricket, leaving the Indian team management in a difficult position ahead of their five-match series against England.
However, questions remain: Was Kohli’s retirement entirely voluntary? Or was there more to the decision?
After repeatedly being dismissed outside off stump during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli returned to domestic cricket with Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, signalling his intent to continue in the longer format. His sudden retirement, therefore, caught many off guard.
Following India’s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI issued a 10-point directive for players, one of which restricted families from joining overseas tours for more than 14 days during a series lasting over a month. Both Kohli and Rohit have young children, and many believe this limitation played a significant role in their decisions to step away from the red-ball format.
According to The Indian Express, Kohli had informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar and a senior BCCI official as early as April about his desire to retire from Test cricket. He emphasised his wish to prioritise his family. The BCCI reportedly urged him to reconsider and delay the decision. But on the day of Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Kohli contacted the board once again to reaffirm his decision. Despite further attempts from the BCCI to change his mind, Kohli stood firm.
Kohli has previously spoken about the importance of family in his life, once saying,
“It’s incredibly difficult to make people understand the importance of family. I don’t think many realise what it truly means. I don’t want to be the guy sitting alone in a hotel room — I want to live like a normal person. If I can do that, I’ll be able to give my best to the game as well.”
Kohli’s words now echo louder than ever, marking the end of a golden chapter in Indian Test cricket.
