With the Test series between India and England just two weeks away, the reality of Virat Kohli's absence from the Indian dressing room in the longest format is becoming increasingly prominent. It has been nearly a month since Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, a format he deeply cherished and approached with unparalleled passion. Despite being only 36 years old, leading many to believe he had several more years at the highest level, Kohli's decision remains his own. Nevertheless, his absence will undoubtedly be felt during the series in England, particularly when a different batsman takes to the crease after India loses their second wicket at Headingley in Leeds.
Virat Kohli to take back his Test retirement? Michael Clarke thinks so
In a final effort to potentially sway Kohli's decision, the President of the IPL, Arun Dhumal, recently encouraged him to reconsider his retirement if his team, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, end up winning the IPL 2025 title. While RCB did indeed lift their first IPL trophy over 48 hours ago, Kohli has remained silent on the matter of his Test retirement. However, shortly after securing the IPL championship, Kohli emphasized his enduring respect for Test cricket, describing winning the IPL as being "five levels below" the experience of success in the longer format.
This sentiment has led former Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke to speculate that Virat Kohli might not be entirely finished with Test cricket. Clarke believes that if the Indian team struggles significantly in the upcoming series against England, Kohli could be persuaded to come out of retirement. India has not won a Test series in England since 2007 and has faced considerable difficulties in subsequent tours, including a 0-4 whitewash in 2011, a 1-3 loss in 2014, a 1-4 defeat in 2018, and a 2-2 draw in 2021/22. Considering the relative inexperience of the current Indian touring squad, the wait for a series victory in England could potentially extend further. Should this occur, the likelihood of Kohli reconsidering his decision, perhaps with some gentle encouragement, might well increase.
"I believe this. If India go to England and get flogged, if they lose the series 5-0 for example, I think the fans will want Virat Kohli to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again. And I honestly, I think if he was asked by captain, selectors and supported by fans, if they get beaten big time in England, I think he'll come. He still loves Test cricket. I think his words, I think those words, like you could hear his passion for Test cricket is real," Clarke said on the Beyond23 podcast.
"He sees it as the pinnacle and he's still playing good enough cricket. He definitely made the decision to retire and whatever his reasons are, everybody comes to that time in their career. If that's the case, then so be it. But if they don't perform, if they get beaten, like I say, 5-0 in England, which I don't think they will. I think they can still win in England, even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think this Indian squad is a good squad," he further added.
India will heading to England without the services of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the onus to lead the pack will be on the young shoulders of newly appointed Test captain Shubman Gill.