Why India still need Kohli in Test whites during transition phase

Dubai: The trend has flipped. Once upon a time, players clung to international cricket, their main source of income. Retirement meant fading into obscurity — and emptying endorsement calendars.

Today, the economics of cricket have changed. With the global rise of franchise leagues, international retirements are coming earlier, not later. Players now prioritise shorter formats, globe-trotting T20 contracts, and workload flexibility. For national boards, this has become a headache — many stars simply don’t want long-term commitments.

In this backdrop, Virat Kohli’s reported desire to retire from Test cricket has hit Indian cricket like a thunderbolt.

This is no ordinary retirement whisper. Kohli, the ultimate chase master, has never been the kind to back away from responsibility — or emotion. After India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, it was he who carried Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders and said: “He has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It’s time we carried him.”

Since then, Kohli, who has been retained in BCCI' top contract, has carried more than Tendulkar’s weight. He’s carried expectations, pressure, and the dreams of a billion fans — especially in red-ball cricket.

Fitting seamlessly into the No. 4 slot left vacant by the legend, Kohli has become the backbone of India’s Test batting. His record — over 9,000 runs and 30 centuries — speaks volumes. His aggression, discipline and drive helped redefine India's Test approach both at home and overseas.

But the runs haven’t flowed lately.

In the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Kohli managed just 85 runs in seven innings. The dip, following a century in the Perth opener, has reopened the debate: Is Kohli still indispensable to India's red-ball plans?

With Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, India are entering a delicate transition. A new captain will take charge, and a young core is emerging — players who’ve grown up idolising Kohli. His experience and influence could be pivotal in shaping the next era. As someone who’s led India through one generational shift already, Kohli is best placed to steady the ship and mentor the next wave of leaders — both on and off the field.

Skill and adaptability:
Kohli may not be the most technically orthodox, but he understands his game like few others. And when he struggles, he works. At the Champions Trophy camp in Dubai, he was often the first to arrive and the last to leave — grinding it out alone to regain rhythm.

Fitness:
At 36, Kohli remains the fittest player in the squad. His discipline off the field — from strict diet control to rigorous training — has helped raise the bar for national selection. He hasn’t just met the fitness standards; he helped define them.

Will to win:
Even after 15 years, Kohli plays like a man on debut — intense, expressive, competitive. He’s still in the opponent’s face, still chasing every single, still setting the tone.

Yes, the runs have dried up. But form is temporary, class is not.

If Kohli walks away, India will lose more than a batter. They’ll lose a presence — one that lifts dressing rooms, rattles opposition, and still has the hunger for battle.

The time to go will come. But this isn’t it.