'One kind of delivery has been troubling him for many years': Former India batter speculates Virat Kohli retiring from Tests 'out of helplessness'

'One kind of delivery has been troubling him for many years': Former India batter speculates Virat Kohli retiring from Tests 'out of helplessness'
Virat Kohli of India looks dejected while leaving the field after being dismissed by Scott Boland of Australia during day two of the fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 04, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

Story Highlights:

Virat Kohli scored two fifties on previous tour of England.

Kohli has been troubled by deliveries outside offstump in red-ball cricket.

Kohli has informed BCCI about his decision to retire from Tests.

The selection committee faces a dilemma as Virat Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision to retire from Test cricket. While the decision is not final and many have urged Kohli to reconsider it, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif feels that the 36-year-old might be feeling helplessness by the pattern of dismissals in the format in last few years.

"Virat Kohli, India's Babbar Sher wants to relax. He is thinking about retirement. I think he should go to England, prove his point and end his career on a high note. Because of the work he did in the T20 World Cup, he should end his career on a good note. Is he thinking about retirement out of helplessness? Because there is one kind of delivery that has been troubling him for many years. The ball bowled outside the off stump," he said in a video posted on X.

 

 

"When the ball was bowled in the fourth-stump channel, he got out many times. It was such a trouble that he couldn't get over it. In his career, he went to England and got out there. In Australia, he got out here. At home, against New Zealand, he got out to spin. He tried a lot," he added.

 

 

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Kaif lauds Kohli's hard work

Kaif lauded Kohli for giving his best to overcome the flaw. He pointed out that Kohli could not carry forward his form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 despite scoring a century in the first Test.

"He tried very hard. His effort was 200 per cent. He always comes to play every match. But it didn't happen. I saw for the first time that Virat Kohli was out of form after scoring 100 in Australia. This has never happened," the 44-year-old said. 

 

 

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"He scores in every match if he gets a century in the series opener. He keeps scoring. You won't be able to dismiss him. He has been such a hero of India. Go to England, play well and end your career on a high note. This is my prayer for him. His fans will also pray for him," he added.

 

 

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is yet to announce the new Test captain and squad for five-Test series against England. Last time India toured England, Kohli scored 218 runs from seven innings at an average of 31.14 including two half-centuries.