Virat Kohli’s reported decision to retire from the Test format has left everyone shocked. The 36-year-old as per initial reports from ESPN Cricinfo has decided to hang up his boots in the Test format after having played 123 games. The move comes just a month before the long tour of England for the start of the new WTC cycle. County Cricket took dig at Kohli via short video on social media after the news came out.
The 17 second video showed English pace duo Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson causing havoc with the ball. Tongue, has played two Test matches and has picked 10 wickets with one fifer. Tongue made his debut in 2023 and his only fifer in the debut game against Ireland at Lord’s. The 27-year-old has picked 15 wickets from five innings and also scored 94 runs with the bat in three county games.
Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson has already played 11 Test matches picking 52 wickets with a best of 7/45 which is one of his three fifers. Atkinson also has scored a century in Test cricket against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. It is to be noted that Atkinson has just made his comeback after suffering an injury earlier this year and has picked six wickets from two county games.
Virat Kohli’s future remains undecided ahead of selection meet
Times of India reported that Virat Kohli isn’t ready to budge from his decision to retire from the longest format. One source speaking to Times of India had said, “Kohli has informed the selectors two weeks ago (decision about Test retirement). They were trying to persuade him to play in the Test series against England. However, he is still firm on his stance. The final call will come close to the selection meet next week.”
Former West Indian star Brian Lara put out a social media post urging Kohli not to quit Test cricket. The 56-year-old wrote, “Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded. He is NOT going to retire from Test cricket.” Apart from Lara even former teammate Ambati Rayudu has put out a tweet asking Kohli to reconsider his decision.
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