Virat Kohli Announces Test Retirement Amid BCCI Exit Drama

In a shocking development that has stirred Indian cricket fans, Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket. The news broke on Saturday morning and quickly sparked controversy, as conflicting reports suggest that his decision may not have been entirely personal.

Initially reported as a voluntary move, new information has surfaced indicating that the BCCI may have pressured the 36-year-old cricketer into this decision. According to a report by Dainik Jagran, senior officials told Kohli that his place in India’s Test squad was no longer justified due to his recent poor performances.

Kohli, once the cornerstone of India’s red-ball dominance, has struggled in his last two Test series. In the recently concluded series against Australia, he managed only 190 runs in five matches, with just one century in Perth. His average of slightly over 23 raised eyebrows, especially as India faced a historic 0-3 whitewash at home, their first such loss in 12 years. In the series before New Zealand, Kohli’s performance was even more disappointing, as he scored just 93 runs in six innings.

Sources close to the BCCI have confirmed that a closed-door meeting took place on May 7 in Mumbai, where senior players, including Rohit Sharma and Kohli, were informed that they no longer fit into the board’s long-term Test plans. Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 36, are reportedly keen to focus on limited-overs formats and their IPL commitments, while the BCCI appears to be planning for a younger core in preparation for the 2027 World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup.

With Rohit and Ashwin already having retired from Test cricket, Kohli’s exit leaves a significant leadership vacuum. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah are currently the only senior players expected to join the England tour. Shubman Gill is the frontrunner for the Test captaincy, with the official announcement anticipated by May 23.

Amid this shake-up, the BCCI must address multiple pressing issues: finalizing the revised schedule, naming the India A squad for the England tour, and ensuring a strong Test lineup against England as the new WTC cycle begins.

Adding to the confusion, while some sources claim the BCCI urged Kohli to reconsider, others assert that he was firmly told his Test career was over. “The BCCI does not request anyone. A player’s decision is a personal choice. We don’t interfere,” a source told Jagran, indicating that the board stands firm on the matter.

As the dust settles, Kohli’s departure from the longest format marks the end of an era. Whether his exit was prompted or voluntary, it signifies a generational shift in Indian cricket — one that will shape the team’s direction in the years to come.