New Delhi: West Indies great Brian Lara has requested star Indian batter Virat Kohli to continue his time in Test cricket after reports of him mulling over quitting the format ran rife on Saturday. Lara, a batting ace himself during his prime, was earlier reported to have talked with Kohli in order to make him reverse his decision. Even the BCCI has tried hard to convince Kohli to change his mind, but the batter seems adamant on his decision.
It all started on the morning of Saturday when a report from the Indian Express claimed that Kohli had made up his mind to retire from Tests and had conveyed the decision to the BCCI, which in response asked him to reconsider it. Kohli is yet to respond to the query, but then a report from Cricbuzz claimed the involvement of an “influential figure” who will be helping the BCCI to talk Kohli out of retirement.
This influential figure was also reportedly involved in convincing Rohit Sharma to give up Test captaincy as the selectors were looking for a young player to assume the role from the new Test cycle. Nonetheless, Lara, like many cricket fans, shared a heartfelt message for Kohli, highlighting his importance in Test cricket and also assuring the countrymen that he is going to stay following apt persuasion.
Taking to Instagram, Lara, on Saturday, posted a picture of the two and even made a prediction while urging the player to continue. “Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded. He is NOT going to retire from Test cricket. @virat.kohli is going to average above 60 for the remainder of his Test career,” the 56-year-old wrote as the caption.
Why BCCI want Kohli to stay?
The BCCI’s stance of preventing Kohli from taking retirement reportedly comes due to the upcoming tour of England, for which Team India needs the long-term experience of Kohli, who has a far better idea of the conditions over there than any other batter in the team. As Rohit Sharma already retired from the format a few days back, it leaves the team handicapped with an inexperienced batting order.
Therefore, the cricket board wants Kohli to continue in red-ball cricket at least for the upcoming tour, which starts in June. As it looks from the words so far, Kohli is set to bid adieu to the longest format of the game, and it remains to be seen if the BCCI is able to weave some magic and make him stay to serve the nation a little more.
Amid the reports of Virat Kohli bidding farewell to Test cricket, Brian Lara has urged the batter to continue playing in the five-day format making a strong prediction too, if he does. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
