Virat Kohli was bitter about his retirement from Test cricket, says former Indian cricketer

Virat Kohli’s exit from Test cricket may have surprised many, but former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes the star was bitter about the way his exit was handled. Jaffer suggested that Kohli could have continued to play the longest format and questioned the way the situation was unfolding as the batter prepared to tour India in England.

“Yes, absolutely. I mean, it seemed like Virat was a bit bitter about how things were being handled,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.

“A player like Virat brings crowds to the stadium; he has such a huge following. He could definitely have played more Test cricket. Until we hear directly from Virat what the actual situation was, we won’t know for sure.”

Kohli’s retirement followed months of uncertainty over his future in Test cricket. He was keen to tour England and continue playing the longest format as he also appeared in Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match in January 2025 to underline his commitment to red-ball cricket.

However, the situation reportedly changed in April when the selectors informed Kohli that the team management intended to back the younger skipper for the England tour. He was also aware that his place in the side would be judged on the same terms as any other batter, with his form potentially determining his selection.

Feeling increasingly disillusioned, Kohli subsequently informed the selectors that he did not wish to be part of the England tour. Efforts by close associates and some BCCI officials to persuade him to reconsider reportedly proved unsuccessful.

Jaffer pointed to Kohli’s preparations for the tour as a significant factor in why his retirement has raised questions about how the situation was handled.

“But I mean he was preparing; he was preparing for the England tour. So all those things could have been handled better. Like I said, in terms of some individuals, things could have been handled better,” Jaffer said.

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on 12 May 2025, ending a 14-year career in which he scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, in 123 Tests.

BRAVE DECISIONS

Jaffer also reviewed the wider selection decisions taken in Indian cricket, acknowledging that some bold calls have paid off, while others have left players and fans disappointed.

“Brave decisions were made and I feel it could have been handled better,” he said.

He made a distinction between India’s performances in white-ball and red-ball cricket and argued that the selectors should not be blamed for the team’s performances in the Test format.

“We played good white-ball cricket. We didn’t play that well in red-ball cricket, but that’s not the selector’s fault. That falls on the coach and the captain. It’s up to them to build the team. The selectors can only pick the players,” Jaffer said.

Jaffer claimed that the overall work was decent, despite the disappointment caused by some decisions.

“So I feel like he’s done a pretty decent job; he’s made some bold decisions that have paid off, although he’s definitely disappointed some individuals and a lot of fans as well, I’d say. It could have been handled better. It could have been handled a little more diplomatically in my opinion,” he added.

Ultimately, Jaffer acknowledged the value of bold selection calls, but felt the circumstances surrounding Kohli’s Test exit left room for better decision-making, especially given the batsman’s stature and his apparent willingness to continue playing the format.

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