Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Shreevats Goswami has sparked debate by suggesting that Virat Kohli retired from the wrong format. With India staring at another heavy home defeat, Goswami believes Kohli should have continued playing Test cricket and stepped away from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) instead.
Goswami Says Test Cricket “Misses” Virat Kohli
Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, announced his retirement from the longest format in May this year but remains active in ODIs. Goswami, however, disagrees with that decision.
“Ideally, Virat should have left playing ODIs and continued playing Test cricket until he had nothing left to give. Test cricket misses him—not just as a player but the energy, love, and passion he brought for India,” he wrote on X.
He added that the “winning mentality and fire” that was visible under Kohli’s leadership now feels absent in the current Indian team.
India Struggling Without Kohli’s Test Leadership
Under Kohli, India did not lose a single Test series at home. But the current side, led by Rohit Sharma, is now close to losing its second home series within a year. India suffered a 3–0 defeat against New Zealand last year and are now on the brink of a 2–0 whitewash against South Africa.
In the ongoing Test in Guwahati, India were dismissed for just 201 in response to South Africa’s 489. With the Proteas opting not to enforce the follow-on and now eyeing a convincing win, questions are growing louder about the team’s direction—and whether Kohli’s presence in Test cricket is being sorely missed.
