Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket may have caught many by surprise, but former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes the star batter was left bitter by how his exit was handled. Jaffer suggested that Kohli could have continued playing the longest format and questioned the way the situation unfolded as the batter prepared for India’s England tour.
“Yes, absolutely. I mean, it seemed like Virat was a bit bitter about how things were handled,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
“A player like Virat, he draws crowds to the stadium; he has such a massive following. He definitely could have played more Test cricket. Until we hear directly from Virat what the actual situation was, we won’t know for sure.”
Kohli’s retirement followed months of uncertainty over his future in Test cricket. He had been keen to tour England and continue playing the longest format, having also turned out for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy fixture in January 2025 to underline his commitment to red-ball cricket.
However, the situation reportedly changed in April, when selectors informed Kohli that the team management intended to back a younger captain for the England tour. He was also made aware that his place in the side would be assessed on the same terms as any other batter, with his form potentially determining his selection.
Feeling increasingly disillusioned, Kohli subsequently informed the selectors that he did not wish to be part of the England tour. Efforts by close associates and some BCCI officials to persuade him to reconsider reportedly proved unsuccessful.
Jaffer pointed to Kohli’s preparations for the tour as a significant factor in why his retirement raised questions about how the situation was managed.
“But I mean, he was preparing; he was gearing up for the England tour. So, all those things could have been handled better. As I said, regarding certain individuals, things could have been managed better,” Jaffer said.
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, bringing an end to a 14-year career in which he scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, in 123 Tests.
BOLD DECISIONS
Jaffer also assessed the broader selection decisions taken in Indian cricket, acknowledging that some bold calls had paid off while others had left players and fans disappointed.
“Bold decisions were taken, and I feel that could have been handled better,” he said.
He distinguished between India’s performances in white-ball and red-ball cricket, arguing that the selectors should not shoulder the blame for the team’s struggles in the Test format.
“We’ve played good white-ball cricket. We haven’t played as well in red-ball cricket, but that isn’t the selector’s fault. That falls on the coach and the captain. It’s up to them what team they field. Selectors can only pick the players,” Jaffer said.
Jaffer maintained that the overall job had been decent, despite the disappointment caused by some of the decisions.
“So, I feel he has done a decent enough job; he took some bold decisions that paid off, though he certainly disappointed some individuals and many fans too, I’d say. That could have been handled better. In my opinion, it could have been managed a bit more diplomatically,” he added.
Ultimately, Jaffer acknowledged the value of bold selection calls but felt that the circumstances surrounding Kohli’s Test retirement left room for better decision-making, particularly given the batter’s stature and his apparent willingness to continue playing the format.
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