Excessive Cricket Took Its Toll on Virat Kohli, Leaving Him 'Fatigued,' Claims English Legend

Virat Kohli's sudden retirement from Test cricket last month sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Long considered one of the fiercest advocates of the red-ball format, Kohli had led India to historic heights during his captaincy tenure and remained a pivotal figure even after stepping down. However, his form dipped significantly in the 2024/25 season, with just a solitary century in 10 Tests. This prolonged slump raised questions about his place in the team, ultimately culminating in an unexpected yet defining end to his illustrious Test career.

Despite his recent struggles, Kohli was initially seen as a surefire pick for India's tour of England, where they were set to play a five-Test series. Speculations around his retirement have been rampant, but former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has provided a new perspective. According to Boycott, the sheer volume of cricket that India plays throughout the international calendar, combined with minimal rest, could have left Kohli mentally and physically drained.

Boycott wrote in The Telegraph, "With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued. It doesn't matter how much talent or experience you have; if you're not mentally fresh and up for the challenge, it becomes draining." Had Kohli not retired, he would have likely flown to England straight after the IPL final to join India's preparations for the Test series.

A New Era Dawns

Alongside Kohli, Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from Test cricket, paving the way for Shubman Gill to take over as India's new Test captain. Gill will also succeed Kohli as India's new No. 4 batsman in the longest format, while newly-appointed vice-captain Rishabh Pant will retain his No. 5 position in the batting order. India will kick off this new era on June 20 with the first Test at Headingley, marking the beginning of their new World Test Championship cycle.