Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket

[Austin 3:!6]

If Kohli and Rohit wanted to retire from tests, why did they play the Ranji Trophy game?

[Lord]

9 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

If Kohli and Rohit wanted to retire from tests, why did they play the Ranji Trophy game?

 

They retired because they were made to play Ranjis

[figo6762]

Gtfoh

[putrevus]

Very average test batsman outside his peak. It is still baffling to me that once his slide started he never recovered from it.

 

It is his own doing, he never went back to work on his weaknesses.Why was he so averse for playing FC cricket is beyond me.

 

I don't think he should be part of 2027 odi world cup anymore.He adds zero value to the team.Let someone else who will be there long term be part of the team.

 

Playing all formats plus captaincy took toll but no excuse for not working on his batting issues for five years.

 

 

[Teengunalagaan]

47 minutes ago, kosingh said:

What a strange career. I wonder where he ends on India's greatest test batters list. Probably 6th-7th?

Had the potential to no.2 but his test career took a nose dive since 2020, may be COVID came at the worst time for him, he was in the form of his life before the break.

 

Also, the guy was cursed in the SF/finals as a skipper, lost crucial matches after dominating in the tournaments.

Edited May 12, 2025 by Teengunalagaan

[Strangering]

Shreyas could be well suited to lead. Bumrah deserves it but he is injury prone. 

[Strangering]

1 hour ago, goose said:

 

Its OK, Rishi. Virat is one step closer to being your neighbor. 

Edited May 12, 2025 by Strangering

[Adamant]

One more thing, this makes way for Gill to bat at 4, which according to me is his best bet.

 

Rahul

Jaiswal

Sai

Gill

Pant

 

This should be our top 5.

[vvvslaxman]

Who is next guys?   Jadeja? For the record Pujara and Rahane are yet to retire.

[vvvslaxman]

5 hours ago, ash said:

Once compared to Sachin as an ATG and poised to end as the Greatest test batsman from India. Ended up not even in the top 5 best batters from India. Unreal fall. I kept expecting his comeback cause he always looked good in patches. 

 

[Serpico]

truly end of an era. farewell and thanks for all the memories, Virat.

 

I think being an all-format super star ruined his test career. Even in his worst test years, he still managed regular 50s in white ball and dominated IPL run charts which gave him over confidence in red ball cricket. Plus, with IPL Indian players simply don't have an off season and can never fix their issues in domestics.

 

Only way to not repeat this downfall with Jaiswal/Pant is selectors growing some spine. If a bowler fails for a whole test season, he will be sent to domestics until he improves himself. Same standard must be applied to our batsmen too. Dragging out of form batsmen will not only ruin the team, it also brings their own careers to premature ends. Imagine if Kohli was dropped from test team in 2022.. there is no way he would have retired at 33.. he could have fixed his issues and make a great comeback and retire with his head high. Such a shame that a player of his stature had to retire with an instagram post instead of a guard of honour

Edited May 12, 2025 by Serpico

[vvvslaxman]

1 minute ago, Serpico said:

truly end of an era. farewell and thanks for all the memories, Virat.

 

I think being an all-format super star ruined his test career. Even in his worst test years, he still managed regular 50s in white ball and dominated IPL run charts which gave him over confidence in red ball cricket. Plus, with IPL Indian players simply don't have an off season and can never fix their issues in domestics.

 

Only way to not repeat this downfall with Jaiswal/Pant is selectors growing some spine. If a bowler fails for a whole test season, he will be sent to domestics until he improves himself. Same standard must be applied to our batsmen too. Dragging out of form batsmen will not only ruin the team, it also brings their own careers to premature ends. Imagine if Kohli was dropped from test team in 2022.. there is no way he would have retired at 34.. he could have fixed his issues and make a great comeback and retire with his head high. Such a shame that a player of his stature had to retire with an instagram post instead of a guard of honour

They have to pick format specific batsmen. During Kohli's era scoring pattern suit his style of batting in T20. Not anymore.  Downside of switching to modern style hitting will impact your game in other formats. So those who are extremely good in Tests should not be considered for T20s for their own and India's good. You go from leaving the balls entire session to trying to loft every ball.

[bowl_out]

Greatest Test captain for India this century. The captain that brought aggression in Test cricket through Fast bowlers.

 

Has had a steep fall from his peak. Fair call to retire after the abysmal BGT performance

[bowl_out]

With Ashwin, Rohit, Virat retiring in quick succession, the Test team will have a new look.

Shami might also call it quits. He is officially 34, but real age must be 38. Maybe 1-2 more tours, and he'll be done.

Jadeja should play Tests for some more years and call quits on ODIs

[vvvslaxman]

Just now, bowl_out said:

With Ashwin, Rohit, Virat retiring in quick succession, the Test team will have a new look.

Shami might also call it quits. He is officially 34, but real age must be 38. Maybe 1-2 more tours, and he'll be done.

Jadeja should play Tests for some more years and call quits on ODIs

 

They should have a strong discussion with Shami. His rythm was not there. The wides he couldn't control int he Champions trophy was signs of his decline. Decline may be temporary.  But we cannot afford to have half-fit Shami who already has poor record in England.  India should go with Prasidh, Rana and other youngsters. 

[Serpico]

3 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

They have to pick format specific batsmen. During Kohli's era scoring pattern suit his style of batting in T20. Not anymore.  Downside of switching to modern style hitting will impact your game in other formats. So those who are extremely good in Tests should not be considered for T20s for their own and India's good. You go from leaving the balls entire session to trying to loft every ball.

that will ruin some fun from the game though. Watching players adjust between the formats, how one format affects the other makes cricket unique from other sports. Plus it will be unfair to players like Jaiswal who will lose a lot of brand value from being test exclusive. It will be like punishing someone for being multi-talented at their job and will discourage future red ball players

[Suhaan]

Thank you Virat

 

I feel teary eyes for my best friend @putrevus here

And @Adamant

I must acknowledge you backed him through thick and thin of his career/performance

[G_B_]

Thankyou Virat.

 

Needed for test team

[vvvslaxman]

Just now, Suhaan said:

Thank you Virat

 

I feel teary eyes for my best friend @putrevus here

And @Adamant

I must acknowledge you backed him through thick and thin of his career/performance

 

Almost all players get backed at some point, criticized at some point. No exception. 

[vvvslaxman]

2 minutes ago, Serpico said:

that will ruin some fun from the game though. Watching players adjust between the formats, how one format affects the other makes cricket unique from other sports. Plus it will be unfair to players like Jaiswal who will lose a lot of brand value from being test exclusive. It will be like punishing someone for being multi-talented at their job and will discourage future red ball players

 

The problem is Jaiswal will become a  poorTest batsman as he showed signs of it at the start of BGT. Then he recalibrated. But from time to time he plays these loose shots very early like he is playing in power play. Red ball reacts differently of the surface. Swing lasts longer.  PIcking Jaiswal when there is no option is one thing. But for now India is dominating T20 cricket without Jaiswal. We should continue with that instead of trying to force him into the set up.