retirement from test cricket

Even after retiring from Test cricket in May 2025, Virat Kohli continues to express his deep love for the format, stating it ranks far above his recent IPL title win. England legend Ian Botham lauded Kohli's mindset, calling his commitment to Test cricket the defining aspect of his greatness.

KS Bharat, the former India wicketkeeper-batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket at 32. Having represented India in seven Tests, Bharat expressed immense gratitude for the honour of playing for his country. He plans to mentor young cricketers post-retirement, continuing his contribution to the sport.

KS Bharat has retired from international cricket after playing seven Tests for India. The wicketkeeper-batter described representing the country as the greatest honour of his life and thanked his family, teammates, coaches and cricket administrators for their support. Bharat also expressed gratitude to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for their role in helping him achieve his dream of playing Test cricket for India.

Ravichandran Ashwin stresses that revitalizing first-class cricket is crucial for Test cricket's future, a global concern. He noted that while the BCCI has improved domestic salaries, players need stronger incentives to choose the demanding red-ball game. Ashwin, a legendary spinner, emphasized the unparalleled rewards of Test cricket and the importance of traditional coaching for aspiring players.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket at age 32. Across seven Tests, the former ball boy stepped up reliably during Rishabh Pant's absence. Former chief selector MSK Prasad praised Bharat as Andhra's finest product and India's most skilled gloveman after Wriddhiman Saha, though his career remained paradoxically caught between the two keepers' distinct strengths.

Ravichandran Ashwin advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to pursue Test cricket, despite the 15-year-old's phenomenal white-ball success. Sooryavanshi's record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign, where he won the Orange Cap with 776 runs, has sparked debate about his future format. Ashwin acknowledges the changing landscape of cricket and the difficulty in forcing a player's hand.

Spinners Expected To Dominate Blazing-Hot Clash

The number three position has remained unsettled for India in Test cricket since Cheteshwar Pujara moved out of the side. Since then, seven different batters have been tried at one-drop, but none have managed to make the spot their own. Several of them were also not given an extended run in the role.

Speculation about Virat Kohli's potential return to Test cricket has resurfaced following comments from his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma. Sharma hinted that discussions regarding a comeback are underway, igniting excitement among fans who believe the former captain still has unfinished business in the longest format. Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025 after a distinguished 14-year career.

Former selector Saba Karim believes Virat Kohli is a certainty for the 2027 ODI World Cup due to his consistent performances and fitness. In contrast, Rohit Sharma faces significant pressure to improve his fitness and batting to be considered for the tournament. Kohli's evolving strike rate and commitment impress selectors, while Rohit's recent IPL form raises concerns.

Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey expressed his elation upon receiving his maiden call-up to the Indian senior national team for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The 23-year-old is particularly thrilled about the prospect of sharing a dressing room with his idols, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

India's Test transition is entering a new phase. Gautam Gambhir believes the rebuilding process that began in England is still well underway, and the focus must now shift from experimentation to stability. From backing Sai Sudharsan and identifying a fourth spinner for future tours to stressing better red-ball preparation and mental toughness, the India coach outlined how the team plans to navigate a crucial phase of the World Test Championship cycle.

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav says he is fully focused on Test cricket ahead of the one-off Afghanistan Test. After Delhi Capitals' early IPL exit, he used the extra time to prepare for red-ball cricket, admitting the transition from T20s is “tough.” With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel rested, Kuldeep will lead the spin attack and has backed youngsters Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar to perform well.

Speaking ahead of Afghanistan's one-off Test against India in New Chandigarh, starting on Saturday, Shahidi said the team needs a more comprehensive Test schedule to continue its development.

Kevin Pietersen has backed players prioritizing IPL commitments over early returns for international duty, defending Jofra Archer's absence from England's Test. Pietersen argued that former cricketers who didn't experience the IPL lack perspective on modern players' choices. Captain Ben Stokes also defended Archer, highlighting the evolving cricketing landscape and new opportunities.

Captain Shubman Gill emphasizes Test cricket's unparalleled satisfaction as India prepares for their one-off Test against Afghanistan. Acknowledging the challenging transition from IPL, Gill expressed confidence in young talents and highlighted the significance of this match for building momentum ahead of crucial World Test Championship fixtures. He stressed Afghanistan's formidable progress, urging against underestimation.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir supports the ICC's new rule allowing a pink ball under floodlights to combat bad light in Test matches. He believes this proactive measure will help ensure matches reach a conclusion, especially in crucial World Test Championship scenarios, preventing teams from being denied results due to weather.

India's upcoming Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, while outside the WTC cycle, serves as crucial preparation. The Shubman Gill-led side will use the match to reconnect with red-ball cricket and fine-tune strategies before a demanding WTC schedule. For Afghanistan, it's a historic second Test against India, offering a valuable opportunity to compete against a traditional powerhouse.

Three days after the IPL final, Team India are attempting to reset their body clocks and shed T20 habits ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reveals how the team is tackling sleep cycles, technical adjustments and the challenge of switching from IPL nights to Test-match mornings.