BCCI Takes Significant Action to Prevent Virat Kohli's Proposed Test Retirement; Details Within
Rewritten Article
Get ready for a thrilling tussle, ‘cause the BCCI is pulling out all the stops to keep a cricketing legend in the game!
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has kickstarted a desperate bid to persuade a cornerstone player from calling it quits on Test cricket. According to recent reports, the talismanic Virat Kohli is weighing the possibility of hanging up his Test spikes. The BCCI's response? They're calling in a heavyweight figure from the cricket world to sway the captain's decision.
On Saturday, IANS spilled the beans on Kohli potentially retiring from Tests, with the five-match series in England looming large on the horizon, set to commence on June 20. But the BCCI isn't ready to accept that just yet.
"Word on the street is, the BCCI is planning to enlist a major player from the cricketing fraternity to speak with the saber-rattling Virat Kohli. Their goal? Convincing him to extend his illustrious career in Test cricket and saving the England tour from heading down the drain," insiders revealed.
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The five-Test series in England also ushers in a brand-new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for the Indian team. Here's the interesting part, it seemed Kohli was considering sitting out the England tour initially. However, it appears Kohli's contemplating giving up the format itself, a move that'd leave a substantial gaping hole considering his rich heritage in Tests.
"So who's this mysterious heavyweight cajoling Kohli into staying put? It's also the same person who had a heart-to-heart with Rohit Sharma, but that situation was way different, as Hindu reported Rohit subsequently called it quits on Tests," added sources.
Though Kohli might not be the most impulsive decision-maker out there, the words of this influential figure could yet sway his thoughts regarding his Test career.
Since his debut in 2011, Kohli has terrorized Test bowlers, amassing a stunning 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. But if Kohli decides to hang up his Test boots, India will be left reeling, particularly in the absence of him and Rohit Sharma.
If Rohit does indeed step away from Tests, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill will emerge as the most experienced top-order batters. Meanwhile, Kohli's potential exit from the Test format would catapult Rishabh Pant to the frontline as the most experienced middle-order batter. Gill, on the other hand, has been hotly tipped to don the captain's armband, a post that's also being coveted by Rahul, Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Both Kohli and Rohit have called time on their T20I careers following India's triumph in the Men's T20 World Cup last year in Barbados. If Kohli follows suit and retires from Tests, the veteran duo will be on hand for India in ODI cricket only.
The BCCI's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to unveil India's ‘A’ squad for the England tour in the coming days. The ‘A’ squad will square off against England Lions in three four-day matches, commencing on May 30 in Canterbury.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from IANS)
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(Source: IANS)
main image credit: IANS
- The BCCI is seeking an influential figure from the cricket world to persuade Virat Kohli to prolong his Test career, as Kohli considers retiring from the format ahead of the England tour.
- If Kohli does decide to retire from Test cricket, the Indian team will be left with a significant void considering his rich heritage in the format, with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill as the most experienced top-order batters remaining.
- Rishabh Pant would likely become the most experienced middle-order batter for the Indian team if Kohli retires, while Shubman Gill has been tipped to take over as captain.
- The BCCI's selection committee is expected to announce India's 'A' squad for the England tour in the coming days, with the 'A' squad scheduled to play against England Lions in three four-day matches.
- In football, India's average performance has been woefully below par compared to cricket, with India's sports stars largely dominating in cricket rather than in football.
