Virat Kohli named India’s 'stop-gap captain' for England tour, Test retirement timing deemed wrong

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu has picked modern-day great Virat Kohli as India's 'stop-gap captain' for the upcoming England tour.

Navjot Singh Sidhu opined that the 'timing and occasion' of Virat Kohli thinking about his retirement from Test cricket is absolutely inappropriate.

Also Read: Sai Sudharsan all set for Test debut in England, batting position revealed

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Virat Kohli conveys to the BCCI his Test retirement decision

Kohli has reportedly told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he would be announcing his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the India tour of England 2025.

This came as a major blow for the BCCI and the team management, as recently, Rohit Sharma also announced his Test retirement and stepped away from the format, forcing the board to look for a new captain.

And with Kohli also not being available for selection in Test cricket, the Indian team for the England tour would be highly inexperienced. Hence, the BCCI officials have told Virat Kohli to reconsider his decision, and even a highly influential figure held talks with him.

However, the right-hander seems to have made his decision, and he has reportedly refused to take a U-turn on his Test retirement call.

His intention is right, his motive is noble: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu talked about Kohli's retirement decision, saying that his intention and motive are right and noble, but the timing is wrong.

Sidhu believes that Kohli's decision to quit cricket just ahead of the England tour will hurt India's chances of winning the Test series as his experience would be missed.

"Virat Kohli’s decision — that he wants to retire — has created a stir across the cricketing world. His intention is right, his motive is noble — that 'the old order must change, yielding place to the new.' But the timing and occasion are not appropriate, because the pride and prestige of India are on the line," Sidhu said in a video posted on X.

"We are heading into a tour that is the toughest litmus test even for other Test-playing nations. Why do I say that Kohli can be our 'knight in shining armor' in England? Because he has the experience, especially after Rohit Sharma's departure. You can’t send an inexperienced side to England," he added.

Navjot Singh Sidhu recalls Kapil Dev-Sunil Gavaskar interaction

Navjot Singh Sidhu further recalled an interaction between Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar from the 1987 ODI World Cup and said:

"In the 1987 ODI World Cup, which was my debut tournament, Sunil Gavaskar was down with a high fever. Captain Kapil Dev asked Gavaskar whether he was fit, and the reply came, 'skip 50-50.' Kapil Dev, with a smile on his face, said, 'Sunil Gavaskar at 50 percent is much better than anyone in this world at 100 percent. The same goes for Virat Kohli."

Navjot Singh Sidhu further said that Kohli should be appointed India's stop-gap captain for the next 6-7 months, as it will give Shubman Gill, who is likely to be handed Test captaincy, some time to settle in.

"He should be India's stop-gap captain for the next six and seven months and lead India from the front," he added.

Kohli's intent noble...timing wrong - India will need his experience in England |
Watch Full Video - https://t.co/vKFon4XwEL ⁦@imVkohli⁩ ⁦@BCCI⁩ ⁦@RCBTweets⁩ pic.twitter.com/LHx8T1S2Oj

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) May 10, 2025