Srikkanth Says Virat Kohli Deserved a Royal Send-Off From Test Cricket
The former selector’s comments have renewed questions about Kohli’s legacy and his near-term availability for India.
Overview
- Kris Srikkanth told PTI on Friday that Virat Kohli should have been given a “royal send-off” and that the subsequent England Test series would have been the right stage for a farewell.
- Kohli shocked cricket by retiring from Test cricket in May 2025 after 123 matches and 9,230 runs, a decision that came shortly before India’s tour of England.
- Multiple reports say Kohli missed India’s current home ODI series against Afghanistan because of a hamstring problem, a development that has reignited public discussion about his playing plans.
- Srikkanth praised Kohli as one of India’s best Test captains, urged people to ‘let Virat decide’ his future by comparing Kohli’s autonomy to Sachin Tendulkar’s, and defended Kohli’s record despite not winning an ICC trophy.
- Srikkanth also recommended that Rohit Sharma remain in one-day plans if he is fit and scoring ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, a view that points to ongoing selection debates about leadership and succession in India’s white-ball sides.