Virat Kohli has reportedly shocked world cricket by expressing his desire to step away from the longest format. According to media reports that surfaced on Saturday, Kohli has conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he wishes to retire from Test cricket, a decision that has triggered massive debate and polarized opinions across the global cricketing landscape.

The former India Test captain, known for his passion and commitment to red-ball cricket, is believed to be evaluating his future in the format after enduring an extended lean patch since 2020. While some have responded with admiration for Kohli’s decision to take a step back, others have criticized the timing of the call, particularly with India’s high-profile five-Test tour of England beginning on June 20. With this potentially marking the end of a celebrated era, reactions have poured in from fans, pundits, and official cricketing bodies alike.

County Cricket’s brutal dig adds fuel to the fire

Amid the serious discourse, a tongue-in-cheek jab from the County Championship‘s official social media handle added a provocative layer to the unfolding drama. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), the account shared a brief clip featuring England pacers Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue dismantling batters during a domestic match. The caption accompanying the ten-second video read, “We don’t blame you, Virat,” a clear insinuation that Kohli’s retirement talk is conveniently timed to avoid England’s formidable pace battery. While many users found the comment humorous, others deemed it disrespectful to a player of Kohli’s stature and legacy. The timing of this dig, especially from a respected first-class competition’s official channel, has only intensified scrutiny and stirred further speculation around Kohli’s true motivation.

Virat Kohli’s past and present in England

Kohli’s performances in England have been a mixed bag throughout his career. On his most recent tour of England in 2021 (the series which concluded in 2022 due to scheduling), he managed just 218 runs in seven innings at an average of 31.14, recording two half-centuries. While those numbers were far from poor, they lacked the dominance expected from a batter of his caliber. Kohli has overall scored 1,096 runs in Tests on English soil, including two memorable centuries and five fifties, making him one of the most successful Indian batters in those challenging conditions.

His lowest point came during the 2014 tour, where he struggled massively against the likes of James Anderson. However, he bounced back with a sensational campaign in 2018, amassing 593 runs in five Tests, proving that he could master English conditions. Kohli’s current desire to step away from Tests appears to stem from a persistent slump that began post-2020. Over the past five years, he has scored just 2,028 runs from 39 Test matches (69 innings) at a modest average of 30.72. This period has seen him notch up only three centuries and nine half-centuries, a sharp contrast to his dominant phase from 2016 to 2019.