Virat Kohli to come out of Test retirement after India's humiliating defeat against South Africa? Reports make huge claim

Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir are facing a lot of criticism after the team's 2-0 defeat in the two-Test match series against South Africa. Notably, this is India's second Test series whitewash in the last 12 months, including a three-match series against New Zealand.

Will Virat Kohli take Test retirement U-turn?

After this defeat with the young team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering cajoling some of the recently retired men’s cricketers to reconsider their decision to represent the nation in the longest format of the game.

According to Cricbuzz, , ‘the idea has begun to circulate’ to approach Virat Kohli to reconsider his retirement. The report also claimed that one recently retired player could be ‘open to a rethink’ about his Test future.

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Virat Kohli's Test career

Kohli announced his Test retirement after representing India for 14 years on May 12, 2025. The batting great has played 123 matches where he scored 9,230 runs at a batting average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. He is one of the best captains to lead India in whites, as Team India defeated Australia on their home turf for the first time under his captaincy.

Rohit, Virat and Ashwin retired after Gambhir took over as head coach

India veterans Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have called time on their Test careers since Gambhir took over as head coach last year. Ashwin, who is India's second-highest wicket-taker, announced his Test retirement in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and Rohit, Virat hung up their boots from whites earlier this year in May before the England Test series.

India's batting collapsed against South Africa

India's batting order was seen struggling in the two-Test series against South Africa as they failed to chase down 124 runs in the spin-friendly Eden's track. After that, South Africa again defeated India by 408 runs in the second Test for a series whitewash.

Rohit and Virat featuring in ODIs vs South Africa

Senior batting duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have already retired from Tests and T20Is, are currently featuring in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.