In a development that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his decision to step away from Test cricket, just ahead of India's crucial five-match Test series against England starting June 20.
The decision has left Indian cricket fans — all 1.4 billion of them — stunned, with many viewing Kohli's potential absence as a monumental loss to the red-ball format. According to The Indian Express, senior BCCI officials are doing everything they can to persuade the 36-year-old to reconsider and stay with the team through the high-stakes series.
Kohli's move comes amid a period of transition for Indian cricket. Earlier this week, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket, leaving a leadership and experience vacuum in the squad. The timing of Kohli’s decision has only intensified concerns about the team’s stability going into a major series.
Sources within the BCCI have described Kohli’s presence as "vital" in the dressing room, not only for his technical brilliance but also for the inspiration and calm he brings to younger players. While Kohli has not made any public statement confirming the retirement, the ongoing discussions suggest a critical crossroad for both the player and the team.
Kohli, who has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket for over a decade, has previously stepped down from captaincy duties in all formats and taken intermittent breaks from the game to manage workload and personal commitments. However, an exit from the Test arena would mark the end of an era.
