Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket midway through the Indian Premier League. The Delhi batsman took to social media on May 12 to announce his retirement from his favourite format. The announcement came just days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the longest format of the game.
India went on the England tour with a relatively inexperienced team led by a young captain Shubman Gill. The Punjab batsman performed well both as captain and batsman and helped India draw the series 2-2 against Ben Stokes & Co in the United Kingdom.
We needed his class and experience in this series: Dilip
However, former India chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar said that if he was in the selection committee, he would have asked Kohli to postpone his retirement decision till the end of the England series. The former Indian captain feels that Kohli’s experience and class would have helped the team in England conditions.
Vengsarkar told the Times of India, “If I were the Indian chief selector, I would have convinced Virat to say goodbye to Test cricket after playing the England series. We needed his class and experience in this series.”
Kohli’s Test career in England
Kohli has had a mixed Test career in England. His problems outside the off-stump came to the fore on his first red-ball tour of England in 2014. Though he disappointed on that tour, he made a stunning comeback in 2018 and scored 655 runs as captain. However, he struggled in the 2021-22 tour, which included the World Test Championship final.
Overall, Kohli has played 17 Tests in England and scored 1096 runs at an average of 33.21. He has also hit five half-centuries and two centuries, including his highest score of 149, which he made in the first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham in 2018.
Meanwhile, speculations are rife over Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future with reports claiming that India’s upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia could be the last international tour for both these veterans.
FAQ
What did Dilip Vengsarkar say about Virat Kohli?
Vengsarkar stated that if he were in charge, he would advise Kohli to retire after the England tour.
Why did Vengsarkar make this statement?
He believes retiring after a major overseas series would be a fitting and honorable way to conclude Kohli’s illustrious career.
Is Virat Kohli considering retirement after the England tour?
There is no official statement from Kohli about retiring after the series; Vengsarkar’s comment is his personal opinion
When is the England tour taking place?
The ongoing ENG vs IND series includes multiple Tests, with the final matches set to be played later this year.
How have fans reacted to Vengsarkar’s suggestion?
Fans are divided—some agree it would be a perfect farewell, while others believe Kohli still has more cricket left in him.