Rumors of Virat Kohli considering a return as India’s Test captain gained more traction after the team’s disappointing performance in Australia earlier this year, especially after former head coach Ravi Shastri hinted that Kohli was keen on leading the side again. Of all the tough decisions Virat Kohli has made in the past four years, his choice to step down as India’s Test captain in early 2022 still feels the hardest to accept. Some might argue that his recent announcement of retiring from Test cricket was a bigger moment, but honestly, many saw that coming. His decision made sense after struggling with form and India’s disappointing performances in their last two Test series — against New Zealand at home and Australia away.
But the real shocker came when Kohli gave up the Test captaincy right after India’s 1-2 series loss in South Africa. That move hit harder than his earlier call to quit T20I captaincy before the World Cup because under his leadership, India had dominated red-ball cricket for years. It always felt like there was some unfinished business left in his Test career.
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Shastri hints Kohli was open to a temporary Test captaincy role before retiring
Speculation about Kohli’s interest in reclaiming the Test captaincy grew stronger after India’s underwhelming tour of Australia earlier this year. Adding fuel to the buzz, former India head coach Ravi Shastri all but confirmed Kohli’s desire to lead the red-ball side again, even saying that if it were up to him, he would’ve surely handed Kohli the captaincy once more.
As per several reports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee did consider Kohli’s interest in taking up the role of a stop-gap Test captain, but they chose to go in a different direction, preferring to appoint a long-term leader instead — which led to Shubman Gill’s elevation. Reflecting on this, Ravi Shastri mentioned in a video shared by SonyLiv that if the decision were his, he would’ve immediately reinstated Kohli as captain after the Australia series.