Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has stirred a fresh debate by suggesting that Virat Kohli’s shock retirement from Test cricket may have stemmed from feeling “unwanted” in the team setup. Kohli, who ended his legendary red-ball career in May 2025 just before the high-profile five-match Test series against England, left fans and experts equally stunned.

The decision surprised many because Kohli had openly expressed his desire to tour England again and even turned up for the Ranji Trophy 2024–25 season to sharpen his skills. Yet, as Tiwary highlighted, things behind the scenes might have pushed the former Indian captain to walk away from the longest format.

Speaking to Crictracker, Manoj Tiwary said, “I don’t know what exactly happened, but I feel he was not feeling wanted in the team. Only Virat can answer this, but I don’t think he’ll ever speak about it in public. He has evolved as a person, embraced spirituality, and now focuses on the present rather than the past. With that mindset, I doubt he’ll ever reveal what truly happened behind the scenes.”

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Tiwary went on to point out that Kohli’s fitness and determination suggested he still had at least three to four years left in Test cricket.

“It was shocking for me as well because he had been preparing hard for the England series. With his fitness levels, he could have easily played another three or four years. But as someone who has been around the game, I can sense he probably didn’t like the atmosphere in the dressing room. That could have played a major role in his decision,” Manoj Tiwary added.

Kohli bows out of Test cricket with an illustrious record—123 matches, 9230 runs, an average of 46.85, 30 centuries, and 31 half-centuries. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 and establishing himself as one of the finest leaders in modern cricket. His aggressive brand of leadership not only transformed India’s approach but also redefined the team’s overseas competitiveness.

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While Kohli may have shut the door on red-ball cricket, fans won’t have to wait long to see him back in action. The 36-year-old is set to feature in India’s ODI series against Australia in October, following his impactful performances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he played decisive knocks against Pakistan and Australia.