Navjot Singh Sidhu has reignited the Virat Kohli Test retirement debate with a passionate plea, expressing his desire for the star batsman to return to the longest format of the game. Kohli, who retired from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, after a 14-year career, is now the subject of fervent appeals from the former Indian cricketer and commentator.
In an emotional Instagram post on Saturday, Sidhu articulated his longing to see Kohli back in the Test arena. "If God granted me a wish I'd say bring Kohli out of his retirement & make him play Test Cricket …. Nothing would give more joy and ecstasy to a country of 1.5 billion! His fitness is that of a twenty year old — he himself 24 carat gold," Sidhu wrote.
Kohli's retirement from Test cricket earlier this year marked the end of an era. He played 123 Test matches, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He also captained India in 68 Test matches, becoming the country's most successful Test captain with 40 wins.
Sidhu's appeal comes despite Kohli's continued strong performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs). After retiring from T20Is last year and focusing solely on ODIs after his Test retirement, Kohli has demonstrated exceptional form. He finished the year with 651 ODI runs from 13 innings, averaging 65.10. This resurgence in form has further fueled the calls for his return to Test cricket.
Earlier in May 2025, Sidhu had already expressed that the timing of Kohli's potential retirement was inappropriate, especially with India's Test series against England approaching. He emphasized the significance of the series and the void that would be left by Rohit Sharma's retirement, stressing that an inexperienced squad could struggle without Kohli's expertise. Sidhu even suggested that Kohli should take over as captain for the next six to seven months, citing Sunil Gavaskar's resilience during the 1987 World Cup as an example.
Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket was not an easy one. In his retirement announcement, he reflected on his 14-year journey, acknowledging the challenges and lessons he learned. "As I step away from this format, it's not easy — but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for," Kohli stated.
While Kohli has moved on to focus on ODI cricket, his impact on Test cricket remains significant. His leadership, intensity, and fitness transformed India into a dominant Test side, both at home and overseas. Whether Kohli will heed Sidhu's appeal and consider a return to Test cricket remains to be seen, but the debate surrounding his retirement is far from over.
