Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket may have come as a surprise to many, but former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes the star batter was unhappy with how his exit was handled. Jaffer feels Kohli could have continued playing the longest format and said the circumstances surrounding his retirement could have been managed better.
“Yes, absolutely. I mean, it seemed like Virat was a bit bitter about how things were handled,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel, as quoted by India Today.
“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 came after months of uncertainty over his future in Test cricket. The former India captain had been keen to continue playing the format and tour England. He had also represented Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match in January 2025, underlining his commitment to red-ball cricket.
However, the situation reportedly changed in April. Kohli was reportedly left disillusioned by the developments and later informed the selectors that he did not want to be part of the England tour. Attempts by people close to him and some BCCI officials to convince him to reconsider did not succeed.
Jaffer pointed to Kohli's preparations for the England tour as a reason to question how the situation had been handled.
“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, ending a 14-year career in the format. He scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, in 123 Tests.
“Yes, absolutely. I mean, it seemed like Virat was a bit bitter about how things were handled,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel, as quoted by India Today.
“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 came after months of uncertainty over his future in Test cricket. The former India captain had been keen to continue playing the format and tour England. He had also represented Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match in January 2025, underlining his commitment to red-ball cricket.
However, the situation reportedly changed in April. Kohli was reportedly left disillusioned by the developments and later informed the selectors that he did not want to be part of the England tour. Attempts by people close to him and some BCCI officials to convince him to reconsider did not succeed.
Jaffer pointed to Kohli's preparations for the England tour as a reason to question how the situation had been handled.
“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, ending a 14-year career in the format. He scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, in 123 Tests.