West Indies great Brian Lara on Saturday urged India batting star Virat Kohli not to retire from Test cricket through a social media post.
“Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded. He is NOT going to retire from Test cricket. @virat.kohli is going to average above 60 for the remainder of his Test career. #testcricket #thebest,” Lara wrote on Instagram.
This development comes amid reports that Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his desire to retire from the longest format of the game.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has also expressed his wish to see Kohli in whites. “Virat Kohli please don’t retire.. The Indian team needs you more than ever. You have so much more in the tank. Test cricket will not be the same without you walking out to battle it out for Team India.. Please reconsider..,” Rayudu posted on X on Saturday.
Kohli has amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85 in Tests.
The decision comes days after Rohit Sharma announced his Test retirement, with Shubman Gill emerging as the leading contender to replace him as captain.