Virat Kohli's red-ball cricket stint in England on cards after Test retirement in a groundbreaking move

Published - 17 May 2025, 09:22 PM | Updated - 17 May 2025, 11:37 PM

Virat Kohli. Image Credit: X

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Days after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, India National Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli has received an offer to play red-ball cricket. The County Club Middlesex has expressed its interest in having conversations with the batter about the same.

India National Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli shocked the entire cricket fraternity when he announced his retirement from Test cricket. On Monday (12th May), the batter took to his Instagram account and opened up about his decision to call time on his red-ball career.

Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket just ahead of the series against England

Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket just ahead of the series against England and the new edition of the ICC World Test Championship. It came as a shock because he expressed his desire to do well in the series to his Delhi coach, Sarandeep Singh.

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While Kohli confirmed that he would be retiring from Test cricket, he didn't mention that he called time on his first-class career. Seizing this opportunity, the Middlesex County Cricket Club offered him an opportunity to continue playing the format that he loves. Also, there is a belief that he is interested in playing at Lord's.

We are interested in having that conversation - Director of cricket at Middlesex, Alan Coleman

Alan Coleman, director of cricket at Middlesex, called India National Cricket Team batter Kohli the most iconic player of his generation. He said that they are interested in having a conversation with the batter. Speaking to The Guardian, he said:

"Virat Kohli is the most iconic player of his generation, so of course we are interested in having that conversation."

Kohli hasn't featured in county cricket ever. Ahead of the England tour in 2018, he was supposed to play for Surrey, but he suffered a neck injury and was ruled out of the stint. However, after that, he went on to have a fantastic series there as he slammed over 500 runs.

Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 and set the stage on fire all throughout his career. His desire to play Test cricket was one of the highlights of his career. He pushed himself to play the format and changed the culture of the Indian Test team as well.

Virat Kohli slammed 9230 runs from 123 matches at an average of 46.85 in his Test career

Under his leadership, the India National Cricket Team went on to become a dominating force in Test cricket. He captained the team in 68 games, and out of those, he won 40 games and had 11 draws. He ended up as the most successful Test captain in India's history.

On the batting front, Kohli slammed 9230 runs from 123 matches at an average of 46.85. His tally also included 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with the highest score of 254. It remains to be seen if he plays county cricket or not. With him calling his retirement, it seems highly unlikely that he will play red-ball cricket.

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India National Cricket Team Virat Kohli Middlesex County Cricket