Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 12: Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli could have continued playing Test cricket and suggested that the circumstances surrounding the star batter's retirement from the longest format could have been handled better.
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, bringing the curtain down on a 14-year career. However, Jaffer believes the former India captain may have been unhappy with how his exit from the format was handled.
"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.
Highlighting Kohli's popularity and contribution to Indian cricket, Jaffer said the batter still had the potential to continue playing Tests. However, he added that the actual circumstances behind the decision would remain unclear until Kohli himself speaks about them.
"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," Jaffer said.
Kohli's retirement followed months of uncertainty over his future in Test cricket. The former captain had reportedly been keen to continue in the format and feature in India's tour of England. His appearance for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match in January 2025 was also seen as a sign of his commitment to red-ball cricket.
However, developments reportedly took a different turn in April 2025. Kohli was said to have become disillusioned with the situation and subsequently informed the selectors that he did not wish to be part of the England tour.
Efforts by people close to the batter and some officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to persuade him to reconsider his decision reportedly proved unsuccessful.
Jaffer pointed to Kohli's preparations for the England tour as a reason why he felt the circumstances could have been managed differently.
"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 finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, in 123 matches. He was one of India's most successful Test captains and played a significant role in strengthening the team's competitiveness in overseas conditions.
Although Kohli's retirement marked the end of a major chapter in Indian cricket, Jaffer's remarks have renewed discussion about whether the former captain could have continued in the format and whether the circumstances surrounding his departure could have been handled better.