3 Big Reasons Why Virat Kohli Should Not Retire From Test Cricket

Jatin

Virat Kohli is reportedly set to retire from Tests [Source: @RohitCh71651016/x.com]Virat Kohli is reportedly set to retire from Tests [Source: @RohitCh71651016/x.com]

First Rohit Sharma hangs up his Test boots and now Virat Kohli is considering it too. While Rohit’s retirement already left a lump in every Indian fan’s throat, news of Kohli contemplating stepping away from red-ball cricket has hit like a punch to the gut.

For over a decade, Kohli has been the heartbeat of India’s Test side, not just as a run machine but as a flag-bearer of Test cricket’s importance in the T20 era. So, if he truly walks away now, it is a gaping hole in the soul of Indian Test cricket.

Sure, the numbers haven’t been kind in the last few years and yes, the pressures of performance and mental toll are real. But let’s not forget, Virat Kohli still has plenty to offer and here is why now is not the time for Virat Kohli to retire from Test cricket.

1. Impeccable Fitness Levels

Kohli isn’t just fit for his age, he is fitter than most 20-somethings in world cricket. At 36, he is sprinting between the wickets like a teenager, diving full length in the outfield and backing it up day in, day out for five days straight.

There are no creaky knees or tired legs here. His body is still built for the grind. Test cricket needs endurance and sharpness, not just for batting long innings, but for keeping the energy high in the field and Virat still brings that in spades.

If anything, his fitness is a reminder that he has still got two or three strong years left so why walk away when your engine is still purring?

2. Presence Of A Seasoned Campaigner

Test cricket isn’t just about stats of form; it is about experience and Virat Kohli brings a truckload of it. With Rohit Sharma gone and Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara already out of the mix, Kohli would be the last true veteran in a dressing room full of rising talent.

You need someone who has been through the fire, knows how to grind on the spinning pitches of Chepauk or bat on Day 5 in Johannesburg or dig in on a green top in Leeds. Kohli’s presence is more than just runs. When he walks out, the opposition knows they are still in a fight.

Youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are gifted, no doubt. But every team needs a war-hardened general in the middle order, someone who can calm the nerves, weather the storm and steady the ship. 

3. Impact As A Leader

You can’t replace Kohli’s leadership aura overnight. With Rohit retiring, India’s next Test captain, whoever it may be, will be walking into a pressure cooker. Whether it's Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah or someone else, they will need a seasoned head like Kohli’s by their side.

Kohli’s captaincy stint from 2014 to 2022 wasn’t just successful, it was revolutionary. He made India a beast in overseas Tests, backed pace bowlers to the hilt and turned the team into a relentless unit. 

Even if he is no longer the official captain, his presence in the XI is like having a second skipper on the field. This isn’t the moment to let that influence fade. Every transition needs an experienced hand and Kohli is just the man to steer it.