Former Indian Cricketer Madan Lal Expresses Surprise Over Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement

In a shocking turn of events, Virat Kohli, the iconic Indian cricketer, has announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the highly anticipated five-match Test series in England, scheduled to begin on June 20. This decision has left many in the cricketing world stunned, including former Indian cricketer Madan Lal, who expressed his surprise over Kohli’s choice to hang up his boots.

According to Madan Lal, the 1983 World Cup-winning player, Kohli’s retirement is not due to his form or fitness, but rather the mental toll the game has taken on him. In a recent interview with Mid-Day, Lal stated, "I am a bit surprised because there was definitely some cricket left in him. He could have taken a call after the England series." Lal believes that Kohli’s mental fatigue, rather than his physical abilities, led to his decision to retire from Test cricket.

Lal, who is also a former chairman of selectors, praised Kohli’s impressive batting skills, describing him as "one of the most intelligent batsmen" in India. He acknowledged that Kohli’s focus on fitness was unparalleled, but noted that the pressure to meet expectations can be overwhelming. "In India, you don’t get a lot of players like him," Lal said. "He put a lot of focus on fitness, but I guess one has to face it that it’s tough to handle expectations of the people."

Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket comes on the heels of regular captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from the format. Both players also retired from T20Is after leading the Indian team to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Throughout his illustrious career, Kohli scored an impressive 9230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries.

Madan Lal also reflected on Kohli’s leadership in Test cricket, stating that the selectors should have continued him as skipper for a longer period. "I believe the selectors should have handled him better back then," Lal said. "They should have continued with him as skipper for a longer period." Kohli remains India’s most successful Test captain, with 40 victories in 68 Tests, including 11 draws.

As the cricketing world comes to terms with Kohli’s retirement, fans and fellow players alike will remember his incredible contributions to the sport. With his impressive statistics and enduring legacy, Virat Kohli will undoubtedly be missed on the Test cricket pitch.