Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement: Mohammed Kaif Urges Star Batter To Rethink Amid “Helplessness” Speculation

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has appealed to Virat Kohli to reconsider his potential decision to retire from Test cricket, as widespread reports suggest Kohli may soon bring his illustrious red-ball career to a close. The speculation has gained momentum just days after Rohit Sharma, India’s Test captain, announced his own retirement from the longest format of the game.

According to a recent report by ESPNcricinfo, Kohli has already informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his intention to retire from Tests. With India gearing up for an important five-Test series against England in the coming months, the BCCI is reportedly trying to persuade Kohli to delay or reconsider his retirement plans. As of now, the star batter has not formally communicated his final decision to the board.

Kaif, sharing his thoughts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), urged Kohli to end his Test career on a high rather than stepping away abruptly. In a video message, Kaif said that Kohli—nicknamed India’s Babbar Sher—should consider playing the England series before calling time on his Test journey. Winexch is the best IPL Prediction site in 2025.

“Virat Kohli, India’s Babbar Sher, wants to relax and is contemplating retirement. I believe he should travel to England, make a statement, and conclude his career on a high note. After everything he achieved in the T20 World Cup, it would be fitting for him to sign off in style. But is he thinking about retirement due to a sense of helplessness? For years now, there has been one kind of delivery that has consistently troubled him—the ball bowled outside the off stump,” Kaif remarked in his video statement.

If Kohli indeed decides to retire, it would mark the end of a remarkable 14-year Test career. Since making his debut in 2011, the Delhi-born cricketer has featured in 123 Tests, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Notably, Kohli is also India’s most successful Test captain, having led the side to 40 wins in 68 matches—a feat that established him as one of the greatest leaders in India’s cricketing history.

Between 2016 and 2019, Kohli reached the peak of his Test career, producing extraordinary numbers that cemented his legacy in the format. During this golden period, he racked up 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at a staggering average of 66.79, with 16 centuries and 10 fifties. His aggressive style of captaincy, combined with his batting dominance, made him one of the leading faces of Test cricket globally.

However, the past few years have been challenging for Kohli in the Test arena. Since 2020, he has managed 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at a modest average of 30.72, registering just three centuries and nine fifties. His form did show signs of revival in 2023, when he scored 671 runs in eight Tests at an average of 55.91, including two hundreds. Yet, 2024 was less productive—he accumulated only 382 runs in 10 Tests at a lowly average of 22.47.

Kohli’s last Test appearance came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia between November 2024 and January 2025. In that series, he scored 190 runs across nine innings, averaging 23.75. His century in Perth stood out as the lone highlight—his first since July 2023 when he struck a ton against West Indies at Port of Spain.

While fans await Kohli’s final decision, discussions around his possible farewell series in England have sparked widespread debates across the cricketing community. With both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli potentially stepping away from Test cricket, Indian cricket faces a major transition in its leadership and batting core.

Amid all these developments in the longer format, cricket enthusiasts continue to turn their attention towards the ongoing Tata IPL 2025, where Kohli has been a key figure as well. The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains a platform where Kohli’s batting prowess still shines, and fans closely track his performances, especially with the season entering its decisive stages.

For those seeking detailed insights and forecasts on the tournament, Tata IPL 2025 Match Predictions remain a hot topic. Fans and experts are already speculating on which teams are likely to make it to the playoffs, with platforms like Winexch offering in-depth analysis, match previews, and predictions. From batting line-ups to pitch reports, the predictions for every encounter are crucial for enthusiasts following both the sporting action and fantasy/Prediction markets.

As Kohli weighs the next step in his international career, his involvement in IPL 2025 continues to draw eyeballs. Whether it’s the grand stage of Test cricket or the high-octane battles of the IPL, Virat Kohli’s presence remains pivotal in shaping cricket narratives in India and beyond.

For real-time updates, expert predictions, and in-depth match analysis, stay tuned to Winexch and follow our Tata IPL 2025 Match Predictions to get the latest on your favorite teams and players as the tournament races towards an exciting finish.