Was Virat Kohli Set to Lead India Again? Shocking Details Behind His Test Exit

May 16, 2025: In a surprising turn of events, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, leaving fans and the cricketing community stunned. Considered one of the finest batters of the modern era and India’s most successful Test captain, Kohli’s decision came amidst reports suggesting he was once again in contention for leadership.

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According to a report by Sports Today, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had initially hinted at the possibility of reinstating Kohli as Test captain during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. “At least people close to him do seem to suggest that he was given sort of a hint that he would be getting captaincy after Adelaide. But then things changed,” the report revealed.

However, following India’s 3-1 loss in the five-match series against Australia, the BCCI reportedly made a sharp U-turn. Instead of recalling Kohli, the board is now said to be looking ahead to groom a younger leader for the future.

Sources also suggest that Kohli’s decision to participate in a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi — against Railways — was influenced by the expectation that a leadership role was on the horizon, as per BCCI’s mandate for national selection. Unfortunately, that opportunity did not materialize.

Kohli’s retirement adds further intrigue to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, which resumes after a 10-day pause triggered by recent border tensions between India and Pakistan. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli’s IPL franchise, are set to face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-stakes match this Saturday.

With RCB sitting second on the table with 16 points from 11 matches, a win could seal their spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile, defending champions KKR are struggling at sixth with 11 points from 12 matches and face elimination if they lose.

As the cricket world digests Kohli’s unexpected decision, all eyes will now be on the RCB-KKR showdown — and the man who continues to shape headlines on and off the pitch.