Overview
- Kapil Dev told SportsTak on Saturday, July 4, 2026, that he was unhappy with Virat Kohli’s May 12, 2025 decision to retire from Test cricket and suggested the move was driven by frustration.
- Kapil argued Kohli still had the skill to play red-ball cricket and that returning via strong domestic scores was a proven route used by players such as Mohinder Amarnath and Anshuman Gaekwad.
- Reports say Kohli remains an active ODI player and was named in India’s three-match ODI squad for England after a reported fitness clearance following a hamstring issue in the IPL 2026 final.
- Kapil contrasted Kohli’s fiery competitiveness with players who stay calm, comparing his intensity to tennis player John McEnroe and saying that emotion may have powered Kohli’s best performances.
- There is no public sign Kohli will reverse his Test retirement, and the debate centers on temperament and selection pathways as he focuses on limited-overs cricket and the run-up to the 2027 World Cup.