Virat Kohli retirement: Timeline of events that led to end of decorated Test career

India Today

14-05-2025

Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket has come as a bolt from the blue. Why? Because at a time when most observers expected him to carry on for a couple more years, the decision does appear rather abrupt. Granted, the selectors had reserved the right to drop him in the near future. After all, he had endured a lean run over the past five years-just one century in that period, with his average dipping from 54 to 46.advertisementBut for a bona fide fighter, a cricketer who built his career by defying the odds and silencing critics, walking away in the face of an uncertain future seems uncharacteristic.And while the retirement decision was Kohli's alone-not one taken by the BCCI-it would not be inaccurate to suggest that recent messaging from the selectors nudged him towards bringing his illustrious 14-year Test career to an end. Also Read: Test cricket will feel quieter without its gladiatorSo, what exactly transpired in recent months? What led a man who, until a month or two ago, was intent on touring England and scoring centuries on those challenging shores to suddenly step away from the format he had often described as his "favourite"?SECOND WEEK OF DECEMEBER 2024This is when the sequence of events truly began to unfold. India lost the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide under Rohit Sharma, after having won the opener in Perth under Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian selectors felt that the team lacked clarity and direction during the transition of captaincy between the two matches.advertisementConcerns emerged about the team's mindset during the interim practice match in Canberra. Instead of strategising for the remainder of the series, players seemed to be in a holiday mood.According to sources close to Kohli, this is when he was informally sounded out about leading the Test side again in the short term, at least until a young captain could be identified. It's worth noting that this coincided with Kohli scoring a century in Perth-a reminder of his enduring class with the bat.LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER 2024India went on to lose the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, falling 2-1 behind in the series with only one match remaining. The chance of retaining the BGT was gone. Kohli, too, had a disappointing run with the bat across the last three Tests.Talks with the selectors resumed, this time with a notable change in tone. Kohli was made aware that his place in the side was no longer secure. For a player of his stature, being under threat of the axe was a first-and a jarring experience.Despite the pressure, Kohli remained determined. He was convinced he could still deliver both as a batter and, if needed, as captain. That conviction was on display when he stepped in as interim skipper for the Sydney Test in Bumrah's absence.advertisementLAST WEEK OF JANUARY 2025Kohli turned out for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy fixture-his way of reaffirming commitment to the red-ball format. During that time, he reportedly told Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh that he was looking forward to the England tour and was determined to score multiple hundreds, silencing critics once again.LAST WEEK OF APRIL 2025 Things began to shift once more during the IPL. In informal conversations, selectors briefed Kohli on the evolving situation: The team management had decided to back a young captain for the England tour, rather than appoint an interim leader.Despite Kohli's stature and past performances, he would now be assessed like any other batter-meaning poor form could lead to exclusion from the squad.Feeling increasingly disillusioned, Kohli reportedly informed the selectors that he did not wish to be part of the England tour.FIRST WEEK OF MAY 2025Close associates within Indian cricket and some officials from the BCCI made efforts to persuade Kohli to reconsider. But his mind was made up. 12 MAY 2025 Virat Kohli formally announced his retirement from Test cricket, stating: "It's not easy to step away from this format, but it feels right. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile."And just like that, the curtains fell on one of India's greatest Test careers. The announcement has also triggered the search for India's next No. 4 in Tests-a position held with unmatched consistency by two legends, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, for over four decades.Tune InMust Watch