In the wake of Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from Test cricket, speculation has begun to swirl around another towering figure of Indian cricket—Virat Kohli. Reports have emerged suggesting that the former Indian captain may also be preparing to bid farewell to the longest and most revered format of the game.
For millions of fans across the globe, the news reports came as an unwelcome shock. Kohli, after all, remains one of the most magnetic presences in Test cricket—a player whose passion, intensity, and artistry with the bat have made him a central figure in the modern era of the sport.
However, what initially seemed like unfounded speculation now appears to have a deeper foundation. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Kohli has been in quiet discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for over a month, expressing his intent to step away from red-ball cricket. Far from an impulsive decision, this potential move is said to have been the result of weeks of reflection.
Such a prospect is difficult to digest for the average cricket enthusiast. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the fittest and most driven athletes of his generation, continues to demonstrate his class with the bat. Despite recent fluctuations in form, many believe his finest hours in Test cricket may yet lie ahead.
The King
Born on November 5, 1988, Virat Kohli has led India across all formats and is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. Nicknamed “The King,” “Chase Master,” and “Run Machine,” his legacy is etched in records and remarkable match-winning performances.
Kohli holds the distinction of being the highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League, and he ranks third in T20 Internationals, One Day Internationals, and overall international cricket. He boasts the most ODI centuries and is second only in international centuries among active players. His Test captaincy tenure is the most successful in India’s history, featuring consecutive Test mace victories and a record number of wins.
Remarkably, Kohli remains the only batter in history to have achieved 900 ICC rating points in all three formats—Test, ODI, and T20I—a testament to his all-format dominance and enduring greatness.
Should he indeed decide to hang up his whites, it would mark the end of a golden chapter in Indian cricket—one defined by fierce competitiveness, unrelenting standards, and a deep love for the longest format of the game.
