"Retired too early in Tests": Virender Sehwag tears into Virat Kohli for shocking decision

Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket has left the cricket world stunned, and Virender Sehwag also admitted he was completely shocked by his former Indian cricket team teammate’s decision. Virat Kohli had announced his retirement from the longest format of the game on May 12, bringing down the curtain on a glorious 14-year Test career.

With 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 fifties in 123 Tests, Kohli retired as India’s fourth-highest run-getter in the format. The dashing right-handed batter is known for his fierce determination, fitness, and winning mindset, and those traits redefined India’s approach to Test cricket.

Virender Sehwag shocked by Virat Kohli’s Test retirement

Under Virat’s captaincy, India rose to the top of the Test rankings and recorded historic overseas wins in Australia and South Africa. Meanwhile, Virender Sehwag, who was also known for his fearless batting, hailed Kohli's incredible consistency and leadership but admitted he was disappointed that the batting maestro retired just shy of the 10,000-run milestone.

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Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz, “His hunger for runs is what makes him different, sets him apart. He follows his routine, his hard work, whether or not he’s making runs.”

The former Indian opener further said that fitness was never an issue for Kohli, saying he is fitter than most players, even at 36, and could easily have played in the traditional format of the game for at least two more years. His fitness was the major reason behind Sehwag’s shock at his call.

Sehwag added, “He will leave 90% of players behind in fitness even at 36 years old. I would say because of that, he retired too early in Tests; he could comfortably have played 2 more years.”

Retirement is a personal decision: Sourav Ganguly on Virat Kohli's Test retirement

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly has also shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli’s sudden decision to retire from Test cricket. The former Indian captain praised Kohli’s incredible career and acknowledged the impact he, along with Rohit Sharma, had on Indian cricket.

However, the former BCCI president said that everyone should respect Kohli’s decision, but he was surprised by his decision, especially with the high-profile Test series against England on the horizon.

Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI, “Retirement is a personal decision. It is his decision to retire. It has been a fantastic career, and Virat Kohli has been a fantastic cricketer, and so has Rohit Sharma... His decision has surprised me.”

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Virat Kohli on fire with the bat for RCB in the IPL 2025

Notably, Kohli was set to make his first appearance after his Test retirement on May 17, but rain didn’t allow the Chinnaswamy crowd to make him feel special, as the IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out.

He has been in stunning form with the bat, amassing 505 runs in 11 innings at a superb average of 63.13 and strike rate of 143.47 with the help of seven fifties so far. The former RCB captain is currently the fourth leading scorer in the tournament at the moment. Kohli’s form played a significant role in RCB reaching the top of the IPL 2025 points table.