BCCI's 'Captaincy Snub' Linked to Virat Kohli's Test Retirement: Report

Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket has left fans and experts in shock. The star batter, regarded as one of the greatest of his generation, announced his retirement after a stellar career as India's captain. Kohli was the fourth most successful Test captain in cricket history before stepping down, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and achievements.

Virat Kohli

As speculation swirled over the reasons behind his abrupt retirement, a new report from Sports Today has stirred more intrigue. The report suggests that a key factor in Kohli's decision could be the Indian cricket board's (BCCI) handling of his captaincy. According to sources close to the cricketer, the BCCI hinted at reinstating Kohli as captain during India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia earlier this year.

The report claims that Kohli was given subtle indications that he would regain the captaincy after India's loss in Adelaide. However, following a 3-1 defeat to Australia in the five-match series, the BCCI seemingly reversed its stance, deciding instead to begin searching for a younger captain to lead the team forward.

Sources suggest that this decision left Kohli feeling overlooked, as he had been hopeful about regaining his former role. In fact, it was reportedly one of the reasons why he played in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi against Railways, a move that was in line with BCCI's directives at the time.

Kohli’s retirement marks a significant shift in Indian cricket, particularly with the IPL resuming after a brief hiatus due to border tensions between India and Pakistan. The focus will now shift to Kohli’s performance in the IPL, where his Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face Kolkata Knight Riders in a crucial match. RCB, currently second in the standings, is vying for a playoff spot, while KKR, in sixth place, needs a win to keep their knockout hopes alive.

With his recent decision hanging over him, all eyes will be on Kohli as he continues to play for RCB, but his departure from Test cricket adds yet another chapter to the complex relationship between India’s most successful captain and the BCCI.