Udaipur, May 13, 2025: Many were surprised by Virat Kohli's announcement of his retirement from Test cricket yesterday. India is set to tour England next month for a Test series, but before that, the legend decided to step down from this format. Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen took to social media, writing "Virat?" with a question mark and exclamation mark, expressing his surprise at Kohli's decision to retire. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh directly asked, "Why the decision to retire?"

Kohli’s Silence After Retirement Announcement

Many have raised questions about Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket. However, after announcing his decision on Instagram yesterday, Kohli has not publicly spoken about it.

The Indian Express Tries to Find an Answer

The Indian Express attempted to answer a question that has been on the minds of many fans: Why did Kohli quit Test cricket?

According to the report, In the first week of last month, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and a powerful Indian cricket administrator received a message from Kohli. In this message, Kohli expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket but confirmed he would continue playing ODIs.

Family Time Played a Key Role in Kohli’s Decision

The media outlet reported that Kohli’s desire to spend more time with his family played a major role in his decision to retire from Test cricket. The BCCI, however, was not ready for this decision, especially with the England tour just around the corner.

Agarkar and board officials requested Kohli to reconsider and take more time before making a final decision. But Kohli stuck to his choice, and even the BCCI officials could not change his mind.

Announcement Timeline

On May 7, Kohli contacted BCCI officials again, informing them of his intention to announce his retirement on social media. The BCCI asked him to wait before making the public announcement, especially during the India-Pakistan conflict.

After the ceasefire, Kohli informed the top BCCI officials and selectors of his decision to retire from Tests and said he would announce it on May 12. While the decision surprised many, Kohli’s desire to spend more time with his family led to his decision to step away from Test cricket.

Kohli’s Absence and BCCI's Family Policy

Kohli couldn’t play in the Test series against England last year due to the birth of his second child. He also flew to England for urgent medical treatment before the South Africa tour in December 2023, taking time to be with his family.

After the T20 World Cup in the West Indies, Kohli returned to India for celebrations before flying back to England. During India’s 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November to January, the BCCI announced that players would be allowed no more than 14 days with their families during long-term tours. The Indian Express reported that Kohli was not happy with this directive from the board.

Kohli's Emotional Thoughts on Family

Speaking at the Innovation Lab Summit of his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli shared his thoughts on the importance of family. He said, "It is very difficult to explain the role of family to people… It’s a very basic thing that we return to family again and again because of strong feelings. I don’t think people understand the value of family."

He added, "I don’t want to be alone in my room with my face turned down. I want to be normal. This is when you can really see your game as a responsibility. It is not a vague idea; you will do your duty (on the field) and return home, where life with your family feels normal. For me, the joy of spending such a day is immeasurable."

Kohli further expressed his disappointment with the BCCI’s policy, saying, "I don’t want to miss any opportunity to spend time with my family. So I am disappointed with this (BCCI directive). Because those who have no control over what is happening, those family members, have been dragged into this discussion. They need to be kept out of it."