Virat Kohli retired from Tests, his favourite format, last year, leaving several fans and pundits shocked. However, his recent performances for India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have led to a chorus calling for him to reconsider his retirement and don the whites once again. On Saturday, Kohli looked in absolute sublime touch against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 opener, scoring an unbeaten 69, helping the defending champions chase down the target of 202 without breaking a sweat.
Before the IPL 2026 opener, Kohli looked pristine in the ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand, scoring centuries for fun. However, after winning the Player of the Match award after the first ODI against the Proteas, the 37-year-old made it clear that he has no plans of returning to Tests, and he would continue playing just the 50-over format for the Men in Blue.
However, after the IPL 2026 contest between RCB and SRH concluded, former India batter Ambati Rayudu once again threw the cat among the pigeons, urging Kohli to come out of Test retirement. Moreover, he urged the BCCI to give him the captaincy to add motivation and hunger.
“I feel his best is yet to come in the IPL. What we have seen is just a trailer. Fitness was never an issue with him. I don’t think he would ever get into any trouble with his physical fitness, getting late on the ball, or slowing down on the field. The only thing that can make him take a step back is his mental state. I don’t think he’s anywhere closer to the end of his career. I still see quality five to six years in him,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo’s ‘Time Out’ show.
“I think he should make a comeback in Test cricket. Hopefully, as a captain. He’s been the best red-ball captain that at least I have seen in Indian cricket. He should, the way he’s batting, I think it’s a loss for Indian cricket,” he added.
