Calls for Virat Kohli’s comeback grow louder after England defeat

Dubai: India’s batting woes in the ongoing Test series have sparked concern among fans and experts alike. Now, former India all-rounder Madan Lal has added his voice to the growing chorus — but with an emotional twist.

The 1983 World Cup winner has publicly expressed his desire to see Virat Kohli return to Test cricket, despite the modern-day great recently stepping away from the longest format.

“Virat Kohli’s passion for Indian cricket is unmatched,” Madan Lal said at a CricketPredicta event.

“It’s my wish that he comes back to Test cricket. There’s nothing wrong in returning. If not in this series, maybe the next.”

Madan Lal, who played a pivotal role in India’s first World Cup triumph, isn’t just speaking as a former cricketer — but as a guardian of the game’s tradition. He believes Kohli’s energy, experience, and sheer presence in the dressing room still have immense value, especially during tough transitions like the one India faces today.

While Kohli has remained silent about a potential return, Lal’s heartfelt plea has struck a chord among fans — many of whom are already mourning the end of an era.

Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, announced his retirement from Test cricket in May, just ahead of the England series. The timing came as a shock, especially after a turbulent 2024—25 season that saw India lose a home series to New Zealand (0—3) and surrender the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia.

The current Test squad has struggled to find its footing. Though new skipper Shubman Gill has impressed at No 4, the middle order remains fragile. Karun Nair — picked as Kohli’s replacement — has yet to find form, and the burden will now fall on rookies like Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran. The collapse at Lord’s, where early wickets exposed India’s soft underbelly, highlighted just how thin the batting really is.

The absence of stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit has been deeply felt. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the decision to step away came from the players themselves.

“I want to make it absolutely clear. We all feel the absence of Rohit and Virat, but the decision to retire was entirely theirs,” BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told ANI.

“We don’t tell players when to retire or from which format. It was their personal choice. We respect that and will always consider them great batters. Thankfully, they are still available for ODIs.”

Madan Lal, who represented India in 39 Tests and 67 ODIs, has remained a vocal supporter of India’s traditional strengths — discipline, depth, and character. His message to Kohli may not change selection policies, but it underscores one thing clearly: some exits are harder to accept than others.

And in Kohli’s case, the door may not be fully shut — at least not yet.

— With inputs from ANI