Recent reports suggest that former Indian captain Virat Kohli may not reconsider his retirement, despite being persuaded by the BCCI.
According to a report from the Times of India, Kohli has not yet clarified his decision regarding retirement from Test cricket, and the selection committee is awaiting his choice before announcing the squad for the upcoming England tour.
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BCCI awaits Kohli's decision
In recent weeks, Indian fans have faced disappointment with Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, and now Kohli's potential retirement is causing concern. The former captain has reportedly informed the BCCI of his intentions regarding this significant decision.
However, the BCCI is encouraging Kohli to reconsider, viewing him as a vital player for the upcoming England tour. Kohli has been a strong presence in the middle order during overseas tours, but his announcement to retire has come as a surprise.
Sources indicate that Virat Kohli informed the selectors two weeks ago about his desire to quit Test cricket. They are trying to persuade him to play in the Test series against England. However, he remains firm in his decision. The final call will be made close to the selection meeting next week."
Cricket legends like Brian Lara have expressed optimism on social media about Kohli not retiring, and several of his friends and fellow players have urged him to reconsider his decision.
Kohli’s Experience Still Key Despite Recent Dip in Form
Virat Kohli has had a stellar Test career for India, consistently performing for many years. However, he faced challenges last year, particularly with a weakness outside off-stump, leading to him being dismissed in that manner six out of nine times during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2024-25. Nonetheless, he still has much to offer the Indian team, and selectors believe that his experience in the middle order could greatly benefit younger players.
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Ultimately, the decision rests with Kohli, and the squad announcement for the England tour is expected on May 19. It has been reported that India will play under a new captain, potentially Shubman Gill, andMohammed Shami may not be an automatic pick for the tour.
