New Delhi: Team India star batter Virat Kohli is reportedly mulling over calling it quits from Test cricket and has even informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his disinterest in continuing in the longest format of the game. The board is expected to arrange a meeting with the batting icon that will reportedly involve a highly influential figure in Indian cricket, in hopes of persuading him to continue in red ball cricket.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, the meeting is expected to be held ahead of the Test squad selection, tentatively scheduled for May 23, for the upcoming England tour. While the venue for the squad selection meeting remains unconfirmed, the BCCI has planned a media interaction to announce the new Test captain. Selection of the India A squad (for England tour) is also in line and can be expected in the next two days.
The BCCI and their effectiveness in managing to convince players is well known, and as per the report, this was the case with Rohit Sharma, who gave up captaincy in Tests a few days ago. The report further claims that the same influential figure might have held some discussions with Rohit before he announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday.
It remains to be seen if BCCI will be successful in convincing Kohli, but there is a certain level of optimism that the person chosen to speak with the 36-year-old could do some magic and influence his decision. The board’s other motive for the meeting is to understand the reasons behind Kohli’s desire to move on from Test cricket, a format in which he has mostly averaged over 50, until recently.
More to follow…
Virat Kohli has reportedly conveyed his Test retirement plans to the BCCI and the board has asked him to rethink over it, also being hopeful of reversing his decision with the help of an “influential figure”. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
