Virat Kohli set to retire from all international formats

Shocking news has emerged amid the buzz over Virat Kohli’s possible retirement from Test cricket, and Indian cricket fans are absolutely not ready for this shocker at all. Recently, social media was flooded with reports that Virat Kohli had made his decision to step away from Test cricket.

There is uncertainty over Kohli’s inclusion in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England. It is being said that the right-handed batter conveyed his decision to BCCI, but the board is not ready to lose out on such an iconic figure ahead of the England tour.

Virat Kohli reportedly done with Cricket

Amidst the Test retirement buzz, a News24 Sports journalist made some explosive claims about Kohli’s career in international cricket. According to the journalist, the former Indian captain said that ‘he is done with cricket,’ not just Test but also ODI too.

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Now, Kohli doesn’t want to play either Tests or ODIs, and 'he has made up his mind.’ He is also likely to drop the shocker any time, but the BCCI is trying hard to convince the cricketer to continue playing for India. The board also asked the players close to Virat to talk to him and change his mind.

Virat Kohli does not want to play international cricket

Sources revealed, “Virat Kohli does not want to play in all three formats (Tests and ODIs). The hunger inside him to play international cricket is over for now. However, BCCI has already tried to somehow convince him through his close players. Another attempt is being made that close players associated with Kohli should talk to him and somehow convince him to go to England.”

Big breaking🚨

Vaibhav Bhola: Virat Kohli has decided to retire from all formats.

pic.twitter.com/hNkyZjOfjo

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) May 10, 2025

Meanwhile, a BCCI source confirmed that the board has requested Kohli to take time before taking a call on his retirement. A senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by NDTV, “He's still incredibly fit and hungry. His presence in the dressing room lifts the entire team. We've requested him to take some time before making a final call.”

Read Also: Virat Kohli sticks to Test retirement decision, forces BCCI into urgent replacement search

Brian Lara backs Virat Kohli to keep going, says ‘Test Cricket Needs Him’

On the other hand, West Indies batting legend Brian Lara has urged Kohli not to give up on Test cricket just yet and wants him to retire with an average of 60 in the format. Lara posted on Instagram: “Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded.”

Kohli began the Australia tour in style with a brilliant century in Perth in November 2024, giving fans hope for a strong performance. But things didn’t go as planned after that. Across the five-match Test series, he scored just 193 runs in nine innings, averaging only 23.5.

In his eight dismissals on tour, seven were caught behind, showing a clear struggle against the moving ball and disciplined bowling outside off-stump. Since making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, Kohli has scored 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. However, his form has seen a dip in the last five years. During this period, he has played 37 Tests and managed just over 2,000 runs, including only three centuries in the format.