Virat Kohli made headlines on May 12 by announcing his retirement from Test cricket. While he was gearing up for the much-anticipated England tour with India's five-match Test series starting June 20, the cricket star felt it was time to move on from the format he cherished the most. Recently, Kohli found Test cricket challenging; since 2024, the former Indian captain scored only 440 runs in 11 Tests with an average of 23.16, managing a solitary fifty and a single century. Yet, fans hoped he would reclaim his form in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle.
Greg Chappell sheds light on Kohli’s mental state
Former Indian coach Greg Chappell believes Kohli's decision stemmed from a lack of mental clarity. According to Chappell, Kohli had to come to terms with the fact that his body and mind no longer coordinated as before. Chappell remarked that this choice wasn’t due to a decline in skill, but the realization that he couldn’t summon the mental sharpness that once made him a brilliant batsman. He accepted that at the highest level, without a sharp and clear mind, the body follows suit and begins to falter.
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Chappell further noted that when doubt creeps into the body, it affects decision-making, disrupts footwork, and erodes the natural flair that defines world-class players. Kohli’s retirement reminds us that form is more about the mind than technique.
Having already bid farewell to T20 International cricket, Kohli will continue to play One-Day Internationals for India. This Delhi batsman has achieved a phenomenal record in Test cricket, amassing 9230 runs in 123 Tests, with an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
In his absence, India will need to find potential candidates for the no. 4 spot in the longest Test format. Recently, Karun Nair emerged as a strong contender, thanks to a magnificent double century against England Lions in a four-day game. New Test captain Shubman Gill, who has batted at no. 3, might also take up the no. 4 position.
