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When did Virat Kohli inform BCCI of his Test retirement call? Agarkar reveals
India has officially entered a new era in Test cricket. On Saturday, May 24, the BCCI announced the India squad for the upcoming tour of England. Shubman Gill has been appointed as India’s new Test captain as the team prepares to begin the new WTC cycle in June. The retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longer format prompted the management to initiate this fresh phase in Test cricket.
While the departure of these veteran stars has opened the door for young talent to step in, fans are still coming to terms with the retirements, especially that of Virat Kohli. The modern-day legend called time on his Test career at the age of 36, stepping away from the format he often described as his ‘favorite.’ Days after his retirement was announced, BCCI chief selector and former cricketer Ajit Agarkar spoke about the transition.
Ajit Agarkar opens up on the Test retirements if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
At the announcement of India squad for the India vs England series, the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, addressed the recent retirements. Agarkar revealed that former India skipper Virat Kohli personally informed him of his intention to retire from Test cricket in April this year. Kohli’s announcement last Monday marked the end of a storied chapter in Indian cricket, as he stepped away from a format he excelled in. The announcement left countless fans across the country stunned and emotional.
The decision came as a major surprise, especially considering Kohli is only 36, an age when legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were still active and performing. With Kohli, touted as the most fit player in the Indian set-up, already having stepped down from T20Is last year, many assumed he would anchor the Indian Test side in the new WTC cycle. So when news broke that he had officially communicated his retirement plans to the BCCI just ahead of the England tour, it was a tough pill to swallow.
Speculation had swirled around efforts by the board to persuade Virat Kohli to reconsider, giving fans a sliver of hope. But those discussions didn’t change his mind. His decision soon became final and was formally acknowledged around the same time the BCCI announced the 18-man squad for the India vs England series beginning June 20 at Headingley.
Agarkar acknowledged Kohli’s decision with respect, stating that when a player of his magnitude feels he can no longer give his absolute best, it might truly be the right moment to step aside. The upcoming India Tour of England will be historic in more ways than one, it marks the first time since 2011 that the Indian Test squad will be without Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin.
"One way to look at it is that it's an opportunity for someone else. Obviously, I've had conversations with both of them over the last couple of months. Virat obviously reached out in early April and said he wants to finish," Agarkar said.
"We’ve seen him want to give 200 percent every ball that plays… even when he's not batting and in the field. He had given everything that he had and if he can’t keep up to the standards that he’s set for himself over the years and how good he has been, maybe it was time for him," he added.
Yet, Agarkar chose to look ahead, expressing faith in the next generation of cricketers. The selected squad reflects this vision of transition, with names like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Arshdeep Singh stepping into the spotlight. While replacing three of India’s most impactful players won’t be easy, the process of change is underway, and the hope is that these young guns will rise to the occasion.
"It's tough for him; you've got to respect that. They have earned that respect, both of them, and the one thing with great players is that they are true to themselves. When you've got a guy who's played 123 Test matches, you will obviously miss them. It's tough to fill that spot, but it’s an opportunity for someone else. He has shown what needs to be done to succeed at this level," Agarkar added.