Cricketing experts and fans have not yet come to terms with the shocking retirement of Virat Kohli from Test cricket on May 12. Taking to Instagram, the 36-year-old penned an emotional note bidding adieu to the format which was very close to his heart - Tests. Although the star batter had earlier indicated to the board about his decision to retire, the Board was not yet ready to accept the decision, as it tried persuaded him.
The efforts did not turn into a fruitful one as Kohli officially announced to retire from Test cricket, ending up with 9270 runs from 123 matches, just ahead of India's upcoming tour of England, starting June 20. The Board and selectors were taken aback by the decision, as it was just coming to grips with the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Ravi Ashwin.
However, a fresh report by Sports Today, has emerged the Virat Kohli was given a hint that he might be given Test captaincy during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under last year. This happened when India badly lost the second Test match in Adelaide under Rohit's captaincy.
"At least people close to him do seem to suggest that he was given sort of a hint that he would be getting captaincy after Adelaide. But then things changed," the report said.
The board made a U-turn to give Virat Kohli captaincy after India lost BGT series
India lost the BGT series 3-1 and the Board decided to do an U-turn and thought of giving Test captaincy to some young player. However, the same report has mentioned the Kohli was still optimistic to get Test captaincy again and also played a Ranji Trophy game for Delhi as mandated by BCCI. However, in April the star batter was told he was just being considered as a player for future Test series.
Former India cricketer and current coach Sarandeep Singh of the Delhi team recently made some shocking revelations.
"There was no hint (of retirement). Did not even hear from anywhere. Some days ago, I was talking to him, but I did not get any hint that he was thinking about this. The kind of IPL he is having, he is in incredible form," Singh said.
"I asked him if he would play County cricket before the Test matches. He said he wanted to play two India 'A' matches before the Test series (against England). It was already settled. Suddenly, we hear he will no longer play red ball cricket. There is no fitness issue. No form issue. He got one century in Australia, but he was not satisfied. During the Ranji Trophy, he was saying that he wants to score three centuries in England because is the most senior player in the team."
Also Read: Virat Kohli informed Ajit Agarkar about wanting to retire from Tests in April: Report
With various reports emerging, it remains to be seen what exactly prompted Kohli to quit from Test cricket, with he being just 770 runs short of 10,000 Test runs.
