Virat Kohli finalizes Test retirement date, but BCCI may drop him before that

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is on the verge of ending his Test career following his lean patch in the format for the past few years. According to the latest reports, Virat Kohli's inconsistent performances are making it harder for the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, to consider him for the England tour.

The 36-year-old batter's recent Test form has been hampered by technical flaws and his setup at the crease. Despite an impressive overall Test record, his performance has declined in recent years. The right-handed batter averages just 31.32 in his last 38 Tests before the ongoing fifth Test in Sydney.

Virat Kohli Entered Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 After Poor Home Series

Kohli entered the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 after a poor home series against New Zealand, where he averaged under 16 in three Tests. He began the BGT with a brilliant second-innings century in Perth, but he has since struggled with an average of only 27.83 in four Tests in Australia.

Kohli's struggles continued on Day 1 of the fifth Test, where he was caught in the slips off Scott Boland for 17 runs off 69 balls. It was the eighth time Kohli has been dismissed while poking outside the off stump in the series. Apart from his unbeaten century in Perth, Kohli has failed to produce significant scores.

Virat Kohli Will Retire at Oval After Fifth Test - Kushan Sarkar

Sports journalist Kushan Sarkar has stated that Virat Kohli is making it harder for the selectors to choose him for the upcoming England series. Sarkar also mentioned that there is speculation Kohli might retire after the fifth Test at The Oval, but for that to happen on his terms, he would need to score runs.

"Virat Kohli is making it increasingly difficult for the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee to pick him for the England series. There's a theory doing rounds that he will retire at Oval after fifth Test. But to do it his own way, he needed runs and now Oval retirement seems a distant dream," Kushan Sarkar wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Virat Kohli is making it increasingly difficult for the Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee to pick him for the England series. There's a theory doing rounds that he will retire at Oval after fifth Test. But to do it his own way, he needed runs and now Oval retirement…

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) January 3, 2025

Virat Kohli's Lack of Form is Technical - Daryll Cullinan

Former South African batter Daryll Cullinan attributed Kohli's poor Test form to technical issues. Cullinan said that Kohli's open stance, with the front foot retracted towards square leg, is flawed and contributing to problems in both defense and attack, especially in red-ball cricket.

"Kohli's lack of form is technical and starts with an erroneous coaching belief about the set-up at the crease. The open stance with the front foot retracted back towards the square leg is at fault, and I see it coached around the world today. In red-ball cricket, and note I say red-ball cricket, it's causing major issues for batsmen in defense and attack on and outside off stump," Cullinan said.

"Added to this, Kohli is pressing his front foot straight down the pitch before the ball leaves the bowler's hand. In a millisecond, turn your front shoulder and get your foot moving across towards the ball outside off stump. It's impossible! All you can do then is throw your hands at the ball, which Kohli is doing," he added.

Also read: Steve Smith breaks silence as Virat Kohli escapes golden duck after umpiring drama in Sydney Test