According to several reports, Virat Kohli had previously told the BCCI that he was permanently leaving red-ball cricket, which was one of the biggest events in Indian cricket this century.
Although there has been no formal confirmation of any kind, Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket and Virat retirement will result in India losing two senior players at once.
Both Rohit and Virat have designated Shubman Gill as their replacement (as captain and batter), and it is anticipated that the BCCI will formally name the 25-year-old as the new Test captain within the next week or two.
Michael Vaughan, the 50-year-old former captain of England, has a different view, though, and wants Kohli to lead India in the five-Test series against England rather than just postpone retirement.
“I would assign Kohli as captain for the Test series against England if I were India. “His VC for the tour could be Shubman Gill,” Vaughan wrote on X.
Vaughan is not alone among past players who have defended Kohli and asked the former captain to halt his retirement intentions. Ambati Rayudu, a retired Indian batsman, made a sincere plea to Kohli a few days ago, urging him to stay involved in Test cricket.
“Please don’t retire, Virat Kohli. You are more important than ever to the Indian squad. You’re capable of so much more. If you don’t go out and fight for Team India, test cricket won’t be the same. Kindly think again,” Rayudu commented on X.
Kohli’s performance in Test matches has not been as impressive as it has been in ODIs and T20s. He has only averaged 30.72 in 39 Test matches since the beginning of 2020, despite having three hundreds.
Headingley, Leeds, will host the opening match of the five-Test series against England on June 20.
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