Virat Kohli landed in India on Tuesday to participate in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting November 30. The former Indian captain was spotted at the Mumbai airport as the fans gathered
around to click a picture with him.
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After retiring from Tests and T20Is, Kohli has been focusing on the fifty-over format as he wishes to play in the ODI World Cup 2023, to be held in India. He last featured in the 3-match series against Australia, which India lost 1-2. In his last outing at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he crafted a classy, unbeaten 74 to help India chase down 237 and avoid a series whitewash.
That innings carried echoes of his trademark chase-master approach and stood out as a fitting high note in his ODI journey.
Yet the biggest surprise came earlier in May 2025 when Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket — a decision that shocked cricketing circles given his relatively young age and still-formidable record.
Many felt that his withdrawal from the red-ball format left a void in the Indian Test side, with former players lamenting the absence of his “energy and belief.” In choosing to step away from Tests while remaining available for ODIs, Kohli signalled a re-focused future, yet the swiftness of the move and the timing ensured his Test exit will be debated for years to come.
Did Virat Retire Too Early From Tests?
Former Bengal cricketer and Virat Kohli’s former RCB teammate Shreevats Goswami believes the ex-India Test captain should have continued in the longest format instead of stepping away from it, suggesting that if anything, ODI retirement would have made more sense.
Reflecting on India’s ongoing struggles against South Africa—where the Proteas have piled up 749 runs across two innings—Goswami highlighted the noticeable lack of spark and inspiration within the current Indian lineup.
Taking to his X handle, Goswami stressed that the passion, intensity and infectious energy Kohli consistently brought to Test cricket are exactly what the team is missing right now.
“Ideally Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket until he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him,” Goswami wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Ideally Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket untill he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for 🇮🇳 where he made the team believe that they can win in any…
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) November 24, 2025
“Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for India, where he made the team believe that they can win in any condition,” Goswami added.
