Virat Kohli has stepped back from Tests and T20Is. Whenever someone so big says he will no longer don the white jersey for India, it is all but an occasion to wax nostalgic. We may be left to watch the younger aspiring players find their footing without him in the challenging Test series against England, but this will not last for very long, as IPL 2025 approaches, where he would be back with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
His return to the Indian team is probably not that far away, anyway, as he has not retired from ODIs. The selectors would, for sure, be keeping him in mind for the new format. India are next scheduled to play an ODI on August 17 against Bangladesh at Sher-E-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka, and Kohli could return for that match. That series would include three matches, the others occurring on August 20 and 23.
Due to the current political tensions prevailing between India and Bangladesh, there is a possibility that this series might get canceled. In case it does get canceled, Kohli might not be seeing the comeback before October. Post the England Tests and the Bangladesh ODIs, India will play three T20Is against them, plus two Tests against the West Indies. Asia Cup is slotted for September, which again will be in T20 format this time around.
An ODI series will take place in October against Australia. India flies into Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney from 19 to 25 October, all places that have their own significance for Kohli. After finishing off five T20Is against Australia and three home Tests against South Africa, India will be playing three more ODIs against Proteas during November and December across Ranchi, Raipur, and Vizag. Kohli might just be back on deck by then for the ODIs.
The BCCI President Roger Binny recalled the impact of Kohli: “Virat Kohli’s name will go down amongst the best in Test cricket. What made him special was not just his drive for runs but his dedication to being great in the toughest format. His leadership changed how India played overseas—with confidence and a belief that they could win. He inspired many to take pride in Test cricket, and his influence on Indian cricket will last for a long time.”
