Ever since Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, the Indian cricket landscape has been buzzing with speculation and updates. His decision, made public on a Saturday morning, caught fans and even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by surprise.
Kohli informed the board of his decision personally, which reportedly led to some internal unrest, especially considering India’s upcoming five-Test tour of England starting June 20.
With seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin also stepping away from Test cricket, Kohli’s exit leaves a significant gap in experience. Currently, only Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah remain as senior figures in the squad.
This England series is the opening chapter of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, and many experts believe Kohli’s absence could tilt the balance in England’s favour. Fans had hoped he would stay at least for this crucial series, but on Monday, Kohli confirmed his retirement through an Instagram post.
However, new developments have taken a dramatic turn. Reports published by *Dainik Jagran* and *Telegraph India* suggest that Kohli was not requested to reconsider his decision as initially believed. Instead, the BCCI reportedly communicated to him that he was no longer part of their future plans for Test cricket.
According to these reports, the board had doubts about his place in the squad due to a string of underwhelming performances.In Kohli’s final Test series in Australia, he managed only 190 runs across five matches, averaging just above 23.
Apart from a lone century in Perth, he struggled for form. Prior to that, against New Zealand, he had another disappointing run—scoring only 93 runs in six innings, averaging a mere 15.50. These statistics painted a concerning picture for selectors, and pressure mounted on the management to take tough calls.
After losing the home series to New Zealand and then the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the Indian team management reportedly decided to move in a new direction. With both Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepping down from the red-ball format, India is clearly preparing for a generational shift ahead of the next WTC cycle.
Both veterans are now expected to focus solely on white-ball cricket, especially with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa on the horizon.Now, all eyes are on the BCCI as they prepare to announce India’s squad for the upcoming England series.
Selecting a strong team and appointing a capable leader are immediate priorities. The board is expected to make some key decisions in the coming days, and fans are eager to see the new direction Indian Test cricket will take.
🚨 VIRAT KOHLI WAS TOLD HE DOESN'T FIT IN TEST TEAM 🚨
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 13, 2025
– The BCCI communicated with Virat Kohli that his place in the Test squad was uncertain. And The BCCI doesn't request anyone about retirement reverse. (Dainik Jagran/Telegraph India). pic.twitter.com/BXsi3hEuxx
Among the names being discussed for Test captaincy, Shubman Gill has emerged as a leading candidate. The young opener has shown promise in recent years and may be seen as the right choice to lead the team through this transitional phase. According to sources, the official announcement regarding the new Test captain is likely to be made on **May 23**.