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Virat Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his intention to retire from Test cricket. The decision, which comes just weeks before India’s crucial five-match Test series in England, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity and left selectors urging Kohli to reconsider his move.

Virat Kohli communicates his decision to retire from Test cricket with the BCCI

According to multiple reports, the BCCI has confirmed that Kohli communicated his wish to step away from the longest format a few days ago. “He has made up his mind and has informed the board that he is moving on from Test cricket. The BCCI has urged him to rethink as the crucial England tour is coming up. He is yet to revert on the request,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying to The Indian Express.

Kohli’s decision follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket earlier this week, leaving India’s Test side on the brink of a significant transition. With both veterans potentially absent, the Indian team faces the prospect of fielding a largely inexperienced middle order for the upcoming series.

Virat Kohli’s Test performance and recent form

Kohli’s decision arrives after a challenging Test season, particularly during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Despite a century in the opening Test at Perth, Kohli managed only 186 runs in five matches, with his average dipping to 23.75 for the series. Over the last five years, his Test average has declined, though he remains one of India’s most prolific red-ball batters with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.

Impact of Kohli’s retirement on Indian Test team

If Kohli stands by his decision, the Indian Test side will lose not just a batting mainstay but also a leader who captained the team from December 2014 to February 2022, before handing over the reins to Rohit. The selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, will face an uphill task of rebuilding the Test squad for the England tour, with young players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi jaiswal likely to shoulder greater responsibility.

However, the BCCI has made it clear they want Kohli to reconsider, especially with the England series marking the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Selection meetings are scheduled in the coming days, but as of now, Kohli has not indicated any change of heart.

Kohli had already retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup win last year, though he continues to impress in the IPL 2025, amassing 505 runs in 11 matches this season at a strike rate of 143.46.