May 24, 2025: Former India captain Virat Kohli had already made up his mind about retiring from Test cricket as early as April, Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the BCCI selection committee, confirmed while announcing India’s squad for the upcoming England Test series. Kohli formally announced his retirement from the longest format on May 12, just days after Rohit Sharma stepped down on May 7.
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“Virat reached out in early April and felt he had given everything he had. If he felt he could not be up to the standards that he has set, you have got to respect that,” Agarkar said, putting to rest speculation that the board had been caught off guard.
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The Test retirements of both Rohit and Kohli — arguably the pillars of India’s batting lineup over the last decade — have left a significant void ahead of the high-stakes five-match Test series against England. The upcoming series also marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
A Career at a Crossroads
Kohli’s Test exit follows a string of inconsistent performances, most notably during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he began with a century in Perth but ended the five-match tour with just 190 runs at an average of 23 — his worst-ever outing in Australia.
Rumors had swirled that Kohli might consider a farewell series in England, but Agarkar remained tight-lipped about any such discussions.
“When somebody decides, it’s not up to us. Our job is to pick someone. Retirement is a personal call.”
A Hole Tough to Fill
While emphasizing the challenges of replacing two of India’s biggest cricketing icons, Agarkar expressed hope in the bench strength.
“Yes, when somebody finishes — two big cricketers — it will be a hole to fill. Of course, Mohammad Shami too is there, as he has done a lot for Indian cricket.”
With a new generation expected to take charge, including newly-appointed Test captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant, the team now embarks on a critical transition phase.
The England tour is set to be a litmus test for India’s next crop of stars — and the first major challenge for a team without Kohli and Rohit in whites.