Overview
- Virat Kohli announced a surprise retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, finishing with 9,230 runs in 123 matches and 30 centuries.
- Former India opener Wasim Jaffer made the allegation in October 2026 on his YouTube channel, saying Kohli was preparing for an England tour and felt "a bit bitter" about how he was treated.
- Jaffer singled out specific selection decisions under Ajit Agarkar’s panel, citing Suryakumar Yadav’s omission after the 2026 T20 World Cup, gaps in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami’s involvement, and unclear handling of Sarfaraz Khan, Auqib Nabi and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
- At the same time Jaffer acknowledged Agarkar’s role in India’s white-ball trophies and rated his tenure 7 out of 10, and there has been no public confirmation from Kohli or an official rebuttal from Agarkar or the BCCI in the reporting.
- The exchange has reopened scrutiny of selection practices and player management under Agarkar’s three-year term and could affect how the board and selectors handle senior players and future appointments.