Kapil Dev believes Virat Kohli still had the ability to excel in Test cricket despite announcing retirement last year.
New Delhi
Former India captain Kapil Dev has expressed disappointment over Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, saying the batting star still possessed the skill and determination to succeed in the longest format of the game. Kapil believes Kohli could have earned a return to the national side even if he had initially been left out of the team.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, ending a remarkable 14-year career in the format. During his Test journey, Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 matches, including 30 centuries, and established himself as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 victories in 68 matches. He retired ahead of India’s tour of England, stating that he had given everything he could to Test cricket.
Reflecting on the decision, Kapil said he would have preferred Kohli to continue playing instead of stepping away from the format. According to the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, retirement should not have been influenced by milestones or temporary setbacks.
Kapil remarked that even if Kohli had not been selected by the selectors or included in the playing eleven by the captain, he should have continued working hard to regain his place. He suggested that strong performances in domestic cricket or other competitive tournaments would have eventually paved the way for his return because of his unquestionable ability as a Test player.
The former captain stressed that Kohli still had the quality required to succeed at the highest level and believed patience would have benefited him. He said setbacks are a part of every cricketer’s career and that experienced players often find their way back through consistent performances.
Kapil also compared Kohli’s fiercely competitive nature with that of tennis legend John McEnroe, known for his emotional intensity and confrontational style on the court. He observed that some athletes produce their best performances when they channel their emotions and thrive under pressure.
Drawing a contrast with other Indian batting greats, Kapil mentioned Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar as players who preferred to let their performances speak for themselves. However, he said cricketers like Kohli embraced challenges differently, using aggression and passion as motivation to perform at their highest level.
While acknowledging that Kohli’s aggressive approach occasionally appeared excessive, Kapil suggested that it may have been an essential part of the former captain’s success. He said every athlete develops a unique mindset, and Kohli may have believed that his intensity helped him deliver better performances on the field.
