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

In what has been the latest development as per the reports in Times of India, it is learned that Virat Kohli is not keen to change his retirement decision. The batter may stand firm on his decision and won't be travelling to England for the five-match series.

India National Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli made the headlines after the reports of his Test retirement did the rounds. The right-hander told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he is moving away from the format and won't be featuring in the five-match Test series.

He is still firm on his stance - BCCI source on Virat Kohli's retirement plans

However, it was also learned that BCCI has asked him to rethink his decision as they want him to play for a few more years. There were also reports which stated that the governing body would ask influential figures to convince Virat Kohli to change his decision.

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But the batter may stand firm on his decision and will be retiring from Tests. The source close to the developments claimed that the batter won't change his decision, and the final call will be taken close to the selection meeting. Speaking to the Times of India, he said:

"Kohli had informed the selectors two weeks ago (about his desire to quit Tests). They were trying to persuade him to play in the Test series against England. However, he is still firm on his stance. The final call will come close to the selection meeting next week."

Shreyas Iyer or Karun Nair likely to takethe number four spot in the team after Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's absence will leave a massive void in the Indian XI for the Test series against England National Cricket Team. This will make the batting order extremely fragile, and no doubt, it will be a massive headache for the selectors to find his replacement.

It is learned that BCCI may look at either Shreyas Iyer or Karun Nair for the number four spot in the team. Both the batters were exceptional with the bat in the domestic circuit and are likely to be picked in the squad for the five-match Test series. Also, Rajat Patidar is likely to replace Sarfaraz Khan in the Test team.

Virat Kohli has slammed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 in the 122 games

Virat Kohli, no doubt, has been far ahead of many in the Tests. The kind of contributions that he has made to the team in this format have been massive. The batter has slammed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 in the 122 games that he has played in the longest format of the game.

However, in the last few years, he has been struggling big-time to score runs consistently. His average has taken a massive dip as he has amassed 1,990 runs in 37 games with just three hundreds, which is well below his standards. He was last seen in action in whites during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Also read: Shubman Gill kicked aside as Anil Kumble announces Jasprit Bumrah as India's new Test skipper