Virat Kohli has told the Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI) that he wants to withdraw from the test cricket before this summer’s series in England, understands Sky Sports News.
BCCI refused to comment when he approached Sky Sports News but did not oppose that Kohli had informed them of his pension plans.
It is understood that the 36-year-old told the leading selector Ajit Genarkar in April of his desire to leave before the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle in June.
The Genarkar and another BCCI official have decided to meet Kohli again but those plans are in limbo due to the escalation of tensions at the India-Pakistan border with the government telling citizens not to travel between cities.
India will face Ben Stokes’ team in five games, starting from Headingley on June 20 and ending at Kia Oval from July 31.
Kohli recorded 9,230 runs, including 30 hundred and 31 centuries, with an average of 46.85 in 123 tests, 68 matches of which were captain.
The point on average has a shadow over 32 on the Cricket Test in the last two years and its century against Australia last November was its first since July 2023.
However, India had appointed Kohli’s experience as a key against England, especially with Captain Rohit Sharma who had just retired by the Cricket Test himself.
A source told Sky Sports News that Kohli informed BCCI about his plans before Rohi retired, but thinks it’s time to leave.
Shubman Gill is the precursor to replacing Rohi as Skipper, although Star Seam Jasprit Bumhrah player is the Vice President and stopped for Rohit in Australia when he lost his first test in the paternity and fell for the fifth.
Kohli and Rohit withdrew from international T20 crickets after the T20 World Cup victory in the West Indies last summer and if the first one joins the latter in leaving the trial cricket, they will only be available to one-day internationals moving forward.
Probation schedule in England vs India
All games at 11am in the UK and Ireland; All live in Sky Sports
- First Test: Friday June 20 -e Tuesday June 24 – Headingley
- Second test: Wednesday 2 July -e Sunday July 6 – Edgbaston
- Third test: Thursday July 10th July 14th – Lord’s
- Fourth test: Wednesday 23 July -e Sunday July 27 – Emirates Old Trafford
- Fifth Test: Thursday 31 July -e Tuesday August 4 – Kia Oval