BCCI’s decision to hand over Test captaincy to younger player prompted Virat Kohli to retire – Report

BCCI’s decision to hand over Test captaincy to younger player prompted Virat Kohli to retire – Report
BCCI’s decision to hand over Test captaincy to younger player prompted Virat Kohli to retire – Report

New Delhi: Virat Kohli sent shock waves across the cricketing fraternity after he announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. Kohli, who was expected to be a part of India’s squad for England tour, made this sudden decision six days after skipper Rohit Sharma bid adieu to the longest format of the game.

While much was said and rumoured about the reason why Kohli announced his retirement, a recent report has claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to appoint a younger Test skipper prompted the star cricketer to announce his decision.

As per a report in Cricbuzz, it is being learned that Kohli wanted a new challenge and had decided to return to Test captaincy but following the refusal from BCCI and their decision to go for a young captain instead of the experienced. The report also mentions that Kohli wanted new challenges for his resurgence and under the current Indian management, he did not get the kind of freedom he wished for.

Kohli had a word with Ravi Shastri, Jay Shah?

The report has also claimed that Kohli spoke to Ravi Shastri, the former Indian team head coach and a close friend, before taking the final call. The batting stalwart also is believed to have a word with ICC chief Jay Shah but the extent of the chat is not known. Additionally, a meeting between Kohli and Rajeev Shukla, one of the most influential figures in the Indian cricket board was scheduled but due to the tensions between India and Pakistan, that couldn’t take place.

Kohli, meanwhile was undergoing a poor run with the bat in the last couple of years in which he had scored runs at an average of just 32. Kohli retired from whites as one of the best Indian batters to have played a pivotal role in the Test format.

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