Manoj Tiwary reveals the reality behind Virat Kohli retirement from Test cricket

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has spoken candidly about Virat Kohli’s unexpected retirement from Test cricket, claiming that the batting great was not treated fairly by the team management. According to Tiwary, Kohli was effectively forced to step away from the longest format in order to safeguard his integrity and self-respect. His remarks have reignited debate around the circumstances surrounding Kohli’s exit, which came as a surprise to many fans and experts alike. Tiwary’s comments surfaced months after both Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their Test retirements in quick succession, just ahead of India’s crucial tour of England.

Manoj Tiwary opens up on Virat Kohli retirement from Test cricket

The timing of those decisions raised several questions, and Tiwary believes the root cause lay in a deteriorating team environment rather than a natural desire to move on. He asserted that Kohli had no plans to retire from Test cricket and was still motivated to contribute at the highest level. Emphasizing the emotional investment elite players make, Tiwary stated that cricketers who serve Indian cricket with pride and passion rarely walk away on their own terms. Instead, he suggested that such players are compelled to leave when they feel undervalued or disrespected, ultimately choosing dignity over prolonging their careers in an unhealthy atmosphere.

"Those who are passionate, who have done so much with honesty for this team, if they get ill-treated like this, then they will keep their integrity and self-respect and leave the team themselves," stated former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary. 

Manoj Tiwary also reflected on Virat Kohli’s lasting legacy as a Test captain, highlighting achievements that, in his view, should never be overlooked or downplayed. He pointed out that Kohli remains India’s most successful Test leader in terms of winning percentage, a statistic that underlines the impact he had on the team during his tenure. Tiwary emphasized that under Kohli’s leadership, India developed a fierce, competitive mindset that translated into consistent performances both at home and abroad.

While acknowledging Kohli’s stature, Tiwary was careful to also credit Rohit Sharma for his accomplishments as captain. He noted that Rohit has guided India to two ICC titles, achievements that hold immense value in modern cricket and deserve recognition. According to Tiwary, both leaders have contributed significantly to Indian cricket in different ways and across different phases. However, Tiwary firmly believes that Kohli’s contributions as both a leader and a player cannot be diminished by comparisons or shifting narratives. He stressed that Kohli was instrumental in transforming India into a formidable overseas Test side, instilling belief and aggression in challenging conditions. That cultural shift, Tiwary feels, remains one of Kohli’s greatest contributions to Indian cricket and continues to influence the team today.

"Obviously, Rohit is a better captain and has won the ICC Trophy. But before that, during Virat Kohli's tenure [as captain], he has had immense contributions to this team. He has achieved a lot of a captain in terms of the team. Today, the highest successful winning percentage in test cricket is Virat Kohli. After that, Rohit Sharma emerged as a player-captain and won India the Champions Trophy. And that bonding within the team is evident, the kind of rapport they share with the players," Tiwary added. 

Although Virat Kohli has stepped away from Test cricket, his dominance in the ODI format remains undiminished. The veteran batter once again showcased his class in the opening match of the ongoing series against New Zealand, producing a superb 93 off 91 deliveries to steer India to a successful chase of a 300-run target. That composed innings not only gave India an early advantage in the series but also helped Kohli reclaim the No. 1 position in the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings for the 11th time in his illustrious career, overtaking Rohit Sharma in the process.

Kohli’s recent form in ODIs has been outstanding, highlighted by a string of impressive scores — 74*, 135, 102, 65*, and 93 — underlining his remarkable consistency. Rohit, meanwhile, managed 26 in the same match and slipped to third in the rankings. The three-match ODI series is currently tied at 1-1, with the decider scheduled to be played in Indore on Sunday.