Cricket fans nationwide were shocked and moved by the news that one of the world’s best Test batters, Virat Kohli, had told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he was willing to end the red-ball phase of his career, just days after the shocking announcement of India captain Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement.

Ahead of the crucial five-match series in England that begins on June 20, the 36-year-old hitter has reportedly told the cricket governing body that he wants to retire from the longest format of cricket.

For cricket fans, the timing of this announcement couldn’t be more dramatic since India captain Rohit Sharma announced his immediate retirement from the Test matches on May 7. With India’s successful T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, both seasoned players have already announced their retirement from T20I.

Few were prepared for the difficult transition that Indian cricket is now facing as Kohli is expected to follow in Rohit’s footsteps.

A top BCCI official reportedly pushed Kohli to change his mind since the England trip selection is quickly approaching.

Fans on social media have responded strongly to this supposed news. Kohli, who is considered the face of India’s red-ball comeback, previously led the way for the format worldwide.

Like Rohit Sharma, the Indian batting master, who has been the centre of his team’s batting order, has had a difficult season.

He only managed to score 186 runs in five Test matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but he showed off his old form by smashing a century in the first game in Perth. However, his form quickly declined.

Even in his poor form, his 8,895 runs in 105 games over the course of his illustrious 14-year career—including 27 hundreds—speak for themselves.