BCCI launches fresh attempt to drag Virat Kohli out of Test retirement

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) treasurer and Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Arun Dhumal, has urged the India National Cricket Team batting superstar Virat Kohli to reconsider his Test retirement.

On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket via Instagram ahead of the marquee five-match Test series against the England National Cricket Team.

Virat Kohli ends legendary Test career

Kohli's retirement came as a major shock to world cricket as Test cricket was his favorite format, and many, including his wife Anushka Sharma, expected him to end his career in whites.

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Virat Kohli completely transformed the Indian team since taking over the red-ball leadership and made them a dominant force in both home and overseas Tests. However, there has been a massive decline in his form with the bat in the last few years, which might have prompted him to make the retirement decision.

He retired from the longest format of the game with 123 matches and 9,230 runs under his belt at an average of 46.85. He hit 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his Test career, with the best score of 254 not out against South Africa.

Kohli ended his career as the fourth-highest Test run-scorer, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar, and with the record for the most double centuries by an Indian in Tests (seven).

BCCI makes new push to convince Virat Kohli to reverse retirement decision

Kohli will now only feature in ODI cricket for India and in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, some fear that he might also say goodbye to IPL if Royal Challengers Bengaluru win the trophy in 2025.

"See neither do I think that, nor do I hope that," Dhumal told PTI when asked if he sees Virat Kohli retiring if Royal Challengers Bengaluru win IPL 2025

Meanwhile, the board official Arun Dhumal made a fresh push to convince Kohli to reverse his retirement decision if RCB finally get their hands on the IPL trophy. He said:

"Virat is the greatest ambassador for cricket. And the kind of commitment he has shown, I would say Virat is to cricket what [Novak] Djokovic or Roger Federer is to tennis. So I would want him to continue playing IPL and I would rather want him to reconsider his decision to retire from Test cricket.

"Given the fitness that Virat has, he is probably fitter now than he was in the first season, after playing 18 editions of the IPL. And he still comes back with the same kind of energy and commitment to the game. Given his dedication in the first season and the next 17, he is going to come back with the same passion and commitment. Even if RCB wins, I would, and the whole country would want Virat to continue."

Shubman has been a great leader - Arun Dhumal

Arun Dhumal also lauded the new India Test captain, Shubman Gill, and backed him to achieve immense success. He said:

"The kind of leadership he has shown over the last two editions has been phenomenal. Shubman has been a great leader and opener.

"I wish him all the very best for his Test career. He has a long time on his side, and he'll do his best. IPL has provided great talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh."

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