The Indian team had a big setback before the tour of England. Star batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on 12 May. Fans and former cricketers were shocked by Kohli’s decision. Now on the tour of England, the Indian team may miss King Kohli on number-4. After Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, Kohli got the number-4 position in the Test and he did not allow the master blaster to be missed by scoring runs.

Kangaroo veteran’s big statement on Kohli’s retirement

Now former Australian captain Michael Clarke has made a big claim regarding Virat Kohli. Clarke said that if the Indian team gets a crushing defeat on the England tour, Virat Kohli can return from retirement. Clarke believes that Kohli loves Test cricket, which is reflected in his words.

Michael Clarke said in Beyond23 Podcast, ‘I really believe that if the Indian team gets a crushing defeat in England. Suppose she loses the series 0-5, so I think fans would like to see Virat Kohli playing Test cricket again. If the captain, selector and fans support, I think he will return. He still loves Test cricket. In his words and his words, you can make his love clear towards Test cricket.

Michael Clarke says, ‘He decided to retire. There will be some reasons behind this, but this time comes in every player’s career. If so, it is fine. But if the team does not perform well and loses 5–0 in England, which I do not think. But if this happens, then questions will definitely arise. I believe that this Indian team is so strong that it can win even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in England.

Michael Clarke also indicated that Virat Kohli still has an incomplete task against England. Kohli’s performance on the 2014 tour was very disappointing and he was able to score just 134 runs in five Tests. However, after four years, the picture was seen in the year 2018. Then Virat Kohli scored 593 runs at an average of 59.30. However, India too lost the series 1-4.

Michael Clarke further said, ‘There is a lot of passion in India regarding cricket. Indian fans want to see their team winning. I think the Indian team can still beat England. I think India’s team is good. But if she cannot beat England, then I think Virat Kohli will be forced to come out of retirement.

How was Kohli’s Test career?

Virat Kohli’s recent performance in Test cricket was not good. During the Border Gavaskar Trophy of 2024-25, Kohli scored a century in the Perth Test, but after that he lost his rhythm. Kohli’s poor form also affected the Indian team. He lost the Test series 1-3 against Australia due to defeat in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. Kohli played 123 Test matches for India. During this, he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. Kohli scored 30 centuries and 31 half -centuries in the Test.

Indo-England Series schedule (2025)
20-24 June: First Test, Headingley
2-6 July: Second Test, Birmingham
10-14 July: Third Test, Lords
23-27 July: Fourth Test, Manchester
31 July-4 August: Fifth Test, The Oval