IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli To Take Back Test Retirement? Ex-Australia Captain Makes Big Statement

Michael Clarke, former Australia captain and 2015 World Cup winner, believes Virat Kohli could make a surprise return to Test cricket if India performs poorly in the upcoming five-match Test series in England.

Notably, Kohli had recently announced his retirement from the longest format, but Clarke feels the right-hand batter might reconsider.

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke told Indian Express:

“I believe this. If India go to England and get beaten badly, like losing 5-0, I think fans will want Virat Kohli to come back and play Tests again. If the captain and selectors ask him, and fans support it, I think he will come. He still loves Test cricket. You can see his passion for it.”

Kohli, who played 123 Test matches, scored over 9,000 runs at an average of 46.85. Despite his dip in form before retirement, Clarke feels the hunger in Kohli for red-ball cricket hasn’t faded.

At the same time, Clarke backed the current Indian team to do well even without Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who also retired recently.

He said, “India has enough talent to win in England. But if things go wrong, Kohli’s return could become a talking point.”

India will begin their five-match Test series against England on June 20, with the first Test to be played at Headingley.