Former India captain Kapil Dev has revealed that he was disappointed by Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, saying the former skipper still had the ability to perform at the highest level and could have earned a place back in the Indian team if required.
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, bringing the curtain down on one of the finest red-ball careers in Indian cricket history. The batting legend finished with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries, while also becoming India’s most successful Test captain with 40 victories in 68 matches.
The 36-year-old stepped away from the longest format ahead of India’s tour of England, saying he had “given everything” to Test cricket.
Kapil Dev Says Kohli Retired Too Soon
Speaking to Sports Tak, Kapil Dev admitted he would have preferred Kohli to continue representing India in Test cricket.
“I wasn’t happy when he retired from Test cricket. It’s not about 10,000 runs or any milestone. I felt that if he had stayed away from reacting in anger for six months, there was every chance he would have played for India again,” Kapil said.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain added that Kohli should have remained patient even if he had faced temporary setbacks in his international career.
“If the selectors didn’t pick him, it’s okay. If the captain didn’t pick him, it’s okay. Go back, work hard, score runs in domestic cricket or wherever you play. He would have come back because he still has the ability to be a Test-match player,” he added.
Kapil Compares Kohli To Tennis Legend John McEnroe
Kapil also reflected on Kohli’s aggressive on-field personality, comparing him to tennis great John McEnroe, who was known for his fiery temperament and confrontational style.
“He had that ability, though sometimes he got a little too enthusiastic. Looking at Virat, I remember John McEnroe. Until he fought, he couldn’t produce his best performance,” Kapil said.
According to the former India captain, every elite athlete has a different way of motivating themselves.
“Some players, like Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, keep their heads down and let their performances do the talking. But some players take up challenges. That’s why I mentioned McEnroe. He was always fighting with the referee. I could never do that, but it was fascinating to watch,” he explained.
‘Maybe That Aggression Made Him Better’
Kapil acknowledged that Kohli’s intensity may have occasionally appeared excessive, but believed it could have been a crucial factor behind his remarkable success.
“Sometimes, looking at Virat, you feel he should cool down a little. But maybe he believed his performances became better when he was that enthusiastic. That was probably his own thought process, and he had every right to think that way,” he said.
Kohli Continues In ODIs
Although Kohli has retired from both Test cricket and T20 Internationals, he remains available for One-Day Internationals and is expected to play a key role in India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The former captain remains one of India’s most experienced players in the 50-over format and is widely expected to spearhead the team’s campaign at the next global tournament.