Picture Credit: X
The Indian cricket fraternity, on Saturday, May 10, was blown away by reports of star Indian batter and former skipper Virat Kohli putting an end to his illustrious Test career. However, no official statement came from the 36-year-old, but several reports stated that Virat Kohli has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to put down curtains on his Test career.
While these reports circulated just days after India’s Test captain, Rohit Sharma announced sudden retirement from the format, following series of poor performances with his bat. Although, Kohli hasn’t yet announced retirement, but several former cricketers have urged him to reconsider this move, seeing India take on England in a five-match Test series, starting June 20.
India will need his experience: Sidhu on Kohli’s Test retirement
While Ambati Rayudu, legend Brian Lara requested Kohli to look into it once again, former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu also shared his opinions. In a video post shared on his X account, Sidhu captioned the post, “Kohli’s intent noble…timing wrong - India will need his experience in England”.
Furthermore in the video, the former India cricketer turned commentator tried to elaborate on the same, adding that the timing of his retirement would be wrong seeing India play England in a high-stakes series. "Virat Kohli’s decision — that he wants to retire — has created a stir across the cricketing world. His intention is right, his motive is noble — that ‘the old order must change, yielding place to the new’, but the timing and occasion are not appropriate, because the pride and prestige of India are on the line", he said.
“We are heading into a tour that is the toughest litmus test even for other Test-playing nations. Why do I say that Kohli can be our "knight in shining armor" in England? Because he has the experience, especially after Rohit Sharma's departure. You can’t send an inexperienced side to England," Sidhu added.
However, a clear picture is still awaited as both Kohli and the BCCI have remained tight-lipped on the matter. But, if Virat Kohli indeed retires, it would mark the end of an illustrious Test career of 14 years, during which he made 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries. He will also end his stint as India's most successful Test captain ever, having won 40 out of 68 Tests with the armband.
