The cricketing world was stunned when Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year. One of the modern era’s finest, the former India captain bowed out with 9,230 runs and 30 centuries in 123 matches. Revered for his passion for the longest format, Kohli not only set new batting benchmarks but also reshaped India’s Test identity, leading them to landmark overseas victories in Australia, England, and South Africa.

What shocked fans even more was the timing. In May, just after Rohit Sharma bid farewell to Test cricket, Kohli revealed on social media that he was done with the format, mere weeks before India’s high-profile five-Test tour of England. While Kohli stated he felt it was the right time to walk away, many experts questioned the abruptness of the decision.

Former India opener Dilip Vengsarkar believes the team could have benefited dramatically from Kohli’s presence in the recently concluded series, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

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“If I were the India chief selector, I would have persuaded Virat to bid goodbye after playing the England series. We needed his class and experience,” Dilip Vengsarkar told The Times of India.

Earlier, in June, former head coach Ravi Shastri also voiced his disappointment, suggesting the situation could have been handled with more communication.

“When you go, that’s when people realise how big a player you were. I feel sad he’s gone, especially the way it happened. I think it could have been handled better,” Ravi Shastri told Sony Sports Network.

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For now, Kohli’s Test legacy remains untarnished, but his sudden exit continues to fuel discussions, proof of the immense void he has left in India’s red-ball setup.