Virat Kohli should have continued to play Test cricket? Check details
Virat Kohli bid farewell to Test cricket earlier this year and now features for India exclusively in the ODI format. However, Shreevats Goswami, the Best Emerging Player in the inaugural 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, believes Kohli made the wrong choice. According to Goswami, the former Indian captain should have continued representing the country in Test cricket and instead considered stepping away from the ODI format. Goswami’s comments come at a time when India is struggling in the ongoing home Test series against South Africa.
Virat Kohli retirement from Test cricket came too early?
The team suffered a 30-run defeat in the opening Test at Eden Gardens and is currently being outperformed in the second and final Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. With India on the back foot, the chances of leveling the series appear slim. Should they fail to win this match, it will mark their second home Test series loss in just over a year. Their previous setback came when they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by New Zealand in the October–November 2024 series.
Goswami highlighted that Virat Kohli’s presence in the Indian Test side brought an unmatched level of energy, passion, and intensity that naturally spread to the rest of the team. He explained that Kohli’s aggressive mindset and relentless drive to win played a significant role in shaping India’s strong performances during his tenure as Test captain. According to the former wicketkeeper-batter, Kohli’s competitive fire created a culture of fearlessness and determination within the squad, pushing players to raise their standards and believe in themselves during challenging moments.
Goswami added that this particular mindset, the hunger to dominate and the confidence to take on any opposition, seems to be lacking in the current group of players. In his view, the team now appears to miss the spark and emotional intensity that Kohli consistently brought to the longest format, qualities that once helped India become a formidable force in Test cricket.
Ideally Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket untill he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for 🇮🇳 where he made the team believe that they can win in any…
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) November 24, 2025
Virat Kohli concluded his illustrious Test career with an impressive tally of 9,230 runs in 123 matches, maintaining a solid average of 46.85. Over the course of his journey in the longest format, he compiled 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, showcasing remarkable consistency and skill across a wide range of conditions. His ability to perform both at home and overseas established him as one of India’s finest Test batters.
Beyond his individual achievements, Kohli also left a lasting legacy as a leader. He stands as India’s most successful Test captain in terms of matches won, having transformed the team into a highly competitive and aggressive unit. Under his leadership, India recorded memorable victories abroad and dominated at home, setting new benchmarks for fitness, intensity, and performance. His contributions as both a prolific run-scorer and an inspirational captain continue to be celebrated in Indian cricket history.
The 37-year-old is gearing up for his return to international cricket in the upcoming IND vs SA three-match ODI series, which begins on Sunday, November 30. His comeback has generated considerable anticipation among fans and analysts, who are eager to see how he performs after his time away from the international arena. The series offers him an ideal platform to regain rhythm, contribute valuable experience, and reinforce his importance to the squad. With expectations high and the team looking to build momentum, his return is likely to add depth, stability, and leadership to India’s ODI lineup as the series unfolds.
