Last month, Virat Kohli found himself at the centre of Test comeback speculation not once, but multiple times — ironically in the same month that marked a year since his shock retirement from the format.
Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket a year back
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It began when Kohli gifted a red-ball-themed pair of shoes to his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma. The veteran coach's reaction immediately caught attention: “I always remember why red-ball cricket was important for you.” Days later, Rajkumar further fuelled the chatter when he said on a podcast, "We are talking about it... let's see what happens."
As if that wasn't enough, social media went into overdrive again after Kohli appeared alongside Ravi Shastri on a podcast wearing a sweater that many fans felt resembled traditional Test cricket attire.
The answer, according to Kohli himself, is a firm no.
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The answer, according to Kohli himself, is a firm no.
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Speaking at the launch of his One8 footwear line in New Delhi, Kohli was asked by host Danish Sait whether the pricing of the new "Red Shoe" — INR 9,230, matching the exact number of runs he scored in Test cricket — was a subtle hint about a return to the longest format.
Kohli quickly shut down the speculation.
"Na na, I would rather undersell... I'm done with it (Test cricket)," he said.
The remark effectively ended weeks of fan theories and comeback rumours.
Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025, bringing down the curtain on one of the most celebrated red-ball careers in Indian cricket history. He finished with 9,230 runs from 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and seven double hundreds.
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The former India captain now remains active only in ODI cricket, with the 2027 World Cup widely expected to be his final chapter in international cricket. He had earlier retired from the T20Is after India won the T20 World Cup final in Barbados in June 2024.
Kohli was expected to return to competitive action after IPL 2026 during India's home ODI series against Afghanistan. However, a hamstring issue delayed his comeback. He has nevertheless been named in India's squad for the upcoming ODI series in England, subject to fitness clearance.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/‘I am done with it’: Virat Kohli is never returning to Test cricket
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