Ajit Agarkar reveals when Virat Kohli informed BCCI about retirement; reveals batting replacement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee chairman, Ajit Agarkar, has opened up about veteran batter Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket. Agarkar revealed that Kohli informed him in early April that he had decided to step away from the longer format of the game.

Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket surprised fans and experts. He made the announcement through an Instagram post on May 12. Kohli ended his Test career as India's most successful captain in the format. The right-handed batter set many records and left a lasting impact on Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli Reached Out in Early April About Test Retirement - Ajit Agarkar

On Saturday, May 24, Ajit Agarkar addressed a press conference. The former Indian pacer revealed that Kohli had informed the BCCI in early April about his decision to retire from Test cricket. Agarkar confirmed that Kohli had already made up his mind well before the official announcement.

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"When guys like that retire, it's always going to be big holes to fill. Even Ashwin retired a few months back. All those guys are stalwarts of Indian cricket. It’s always difficult. One way to look at it is that it's an opportunity for someone else. Obviously, I've had conversations with both of them over the last couple of months. Virat obviously reached out in early April and said he wants to finish," Agarkar said.

Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill Might Take the Call on No. 4 - Ajit Agarkar

When Agarkar was questioned about openers and Virat Kohli's replacement in the Indian Test squad, he stated, "GG and Shubman might take a call on No.4 once they get there. But once they get there, they'll have a think about that."

The Delhi-born batsman struggled to score runs in Test cricket. He managed just 190 runs in five matches during the Australia tour. Kohli began the series with a century in Perth but failed to replicate that in the remaining matches. Notably, he was dismissed, caught behind in every inning.

We’ve Seen Him Give 200 Percent Every Ball - Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar said that Virat Kohli always gave his best, whether with the bat or in the field. Agarkar added that Kohli had set very high standards for himself and felt it was the right time to retire.

"We’ve seen him want to give 200 percent every ball that plays… even when he's not batting and in the field. He had given everything that he had and if he can’t keep up to the standards that he’s set for himself over the years and how good he has been, maybe it was time for him."

The upcoming Test series in England will be the first time since 2011 that the team will be without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Arshdeep Singh have earned their spots.

Also read: "India was sleeping for 2 years, suddenly everyone has woken up"- Shubman Gill's appointment receives shocker