Virat Kohli shocked cricket fans by announcing his retirement from Test cricket on May 12.
Just five days earlier, Rohit Sharma had made a similar announcement.
New details have now emerged suggesting Kohli was initially planning to retire alongside Sharma on May 7.
Kohli made his Test debut against the West Indies on June 20, 2011.
Over 14 years, he played 123 matches and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85.
His impressive record included 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
Many fans had expected him to become the fourth batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs, but he fell short of this milestone.
Unexpected Retirement
Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement announcement on May 7 left fans stunned, as many had expected him to lead the team in the upcoming Test series against England.
Shortly after, reports emerged that Kohli would also retire before the England tour.
Kohli confirmed these reports on May 12 by sharing a post announcing his retirement.
A Change in Plans
According to a report by The Indian Express, Kohli had initially planned to announce his retirement on May 7, alongside Rohit Sharma.
However, he was advised to delay his announcement.
The reason behind this delay was the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following Operation Sindoor by the Indian Army.
The report states that after the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan on May 10, Kohli informed the BCCI and selectors that he would soon share his retirement plans with the fans.
He cited his desire to spend more time with his family as the reason behind his decision.
Poor Team Performance
India’s recent Test performances had been underwhelming, with the team suffering a 3-0 loss to New Zealand and a 1-3 defeat in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Following these losses, reports emerged that players not participating in international cricket would be required to play in domestic tournaments.
Additionally, restrictions were placed on the amount of time family members could spend with players during tours.
These developments may have influenced Kohli’s decision to retire.