‘Virat Kohli had Test cricket left in him’: Ashwin's striking revelation revives ex-skipper's retirement talk

Ashwin, who shared a dressing room with Kohli for years, revealed that he had personally told his former skipper there was still Test cricket left in him.

Updated on: Mar 21, 2026, 06:02:45 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Virat Kohli’s decision to step away from Test cricket last year caught the cricketing world off guard, especially with many believing he still had more to offer in the longest format. The call came midway through IPL 2025, at a time when pressure around his red-ball form had begun to build. A difficult tour of Australia had exposed his repeated struggles outside the off-stump, drawing constant scrutiny. In a bid to rediscover rhythm, he even turned up in the Ranji Trophy, hoping for a reset, but the runs didn’t come there either. With expectations mounting and little respite from the spotlight, Kohli chose to walk away from Tests, bringing an abrupt end to a remarkable red-ball chapter.

Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket last year. (PTI)

In 123 Tests, Kohli scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a highest score of 254*. Since his 2011 debut, he combined an aggressive mindset with remarkable consistency during his captaincy tenure, leading India to historic victories and setting new benchmarks, leaving behind a legacy as India’s most successful Test skipper.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared a dressing room with Kohli for years, revealed that he had personally told his former skipper there was still Test cricket left in him.

"I've directly told him that he had cricket left him in Test cricket. There was something left in Test cricket, but it’s okay, honestly. There is a problem in India about the perception," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Also Read - ‘Virat Kohli will make it known to his critics’: Mohammad Kaif reckons Test retirement not been easy for RCB superstar

“Not an easy decision for Virat Kohli”

Continuing his thoughts on Kohli’s Test retirement, Ashwin reflected on his team-first approach and the difficult decision to step away from red-ball cricket, emphasising the respect and principles that defined his career.

“He has retired, I mean, even look at it from Virat's value and Virat's principle, he always kept team first. Even at press conferences, he always said that the team is very important, that we have got to win. He has said all this. And for him to say okay, I've taken a retirement, I want to come back, it’s not an easy decision for him to make, also, but I do certainly believe he had some cricket left," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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