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Days ahead of the announcement of the Test squad for England tour, star batter Virat Kohli informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision to retire from the longest format. After West Indies legend Brian Lara and former teammate Ambati Rayudu urged Kohli to rethink about his decision, former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has said that the timing is not right. With Rohit Sharma already retired from Tests, Sidhu does not want an inexperienced side on the England tour.
"Virat Kohli’s decision — that he wants to retire — has created a stir across the cricketing world. His intention is right, his motive is noble — that "the old order must change, yielding place to the new." But the timing and occasion are not appropriate, because the pride and prestige of India are on the line" Sidhu said in a video he posted on X.
"We are heading into a tour that is the toughest litmus test even for other Test-playing nations. Why do I say that Kohli can be our "knight in shining armor" in England? Because he has the experience, especially after Rohit Sharma's departure. You can’t send an inexperienced side to England," he added.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to announce the Test squad on May 16. The five-Test series kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
Kohli's struggle in Australia and Ranji return
Kohli was not in the best of forms in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and was subjected to widespread criticism. After a century in the opening Test, Kohli failed to convert starts into big scores. He was often caught behind the wicket in an attempt to play away from the body.
The 37-year-old also made his return to the Ranji Trophy after more than a decade. Representing Delhi, he was dismissed for a single-digit score but Delhi beat Railways by an innings and 19 runs.
Kohli's white-ball form
Since then, Kohli has been in good form in white-ball cricket. He was India's second-highest run-scorer in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, he is one of the contenders for the orange cap with 505 runs from 11 innings at an average of 63.13, including seven half-centuries.
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