Kapil Dev on Kohli's Test retirement: 'I wasn't happy with his decision'
Synopsis
Kapil Dev didn't mince words — he was 'not happy' when Virat Kohli walked away from Test cricket in May 2025. The 1983 World Cup winner believes Kohli still had the ability and, with six months of patience, could have forced his way back. A rare public rebuke from one legend to another.
Key Takeaways
Kapil Dev said he was 'not happy' with Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket in May 2025 .
Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests with 30 centuries , leading India to 40 wins in 68 matches as captain.
Kapil argued that six months of patience could have seen Kohli return to the Test side.
Kapil compared Kohli's combative temperament to tennis legend John McEnroe , calling it central to his best performances.
Kohli remains active in ODIs and is expected to be key to India's ICC World Cup 2027 campaign.
Cricket legend and 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has openly admitted he was unhappy with Virat Kohli's shock decision to retire from Test cricket, stating that the batting great still had the ability to compete at the highest level and could have reclaimed his place in the side had he remained patient.
Kohli's Test Career at a Glance
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, drawing the curtain on a 14-year red-ball career that yielded 9,230 runs across 123 Tests, including 30 centuries. He remains India's most successful Test captain, having led the side to 40 wins in 68 matches. He stepped away ahead of the England tour, saying he had 'given everything' to Test cricket.
What Kapil Dev Said
'I wasn't happy when he retired from Test cricket. It's not about 10,000 runs or any milestone. I felt that if he had stayed away from reacting in anger for six months, there was every chance he would have played for India again,' Kapil said in an interview with Sports Tak.
The former captain urged Kohli to have weathered any period of exclusion rather than walk away. 'If the selectors didn't pick him, it's okay. If the captain didn't pick him, it's okay. Go back, work hard, score runs in domestic cricket or wherever you play. He would have come back because he still has the ability of a Test match player,' he added.
The McEnroe Comparison
Kapil drew a striking parallel between Kohli's combative temperament and tennis legend John McEnroe, suggesting that confrontation and emotion were central to certain athletes' peak performances. 'Until he fought, he couldn't produce his best performance,' Kapil said of McEnroe, placing Kohli in the same mould.
He contrasted this with the understated approach of Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sachin Tendulkar, noting: 'Some players keep their heads down and let their performances do the talking. But some players take up challenges.' He acknowledged that while Kohli's aggression sometimes appeared excessive, it may have been the very engine of his success.
What Comes Next for Kohli
Despite retiring from both Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Kohli continues to represent India in ODIs and is widely expected to play a pivotal role in the team's campaign to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. His continued presence in the 50-over format ensures his international career is far from over, even as his red-ball chapter remains firmly closed.
Point of View
Which, if accurate, raises questions about the support structures around senior players. India lost its most successful Test captain at 36, an age at which many top-order batters still have two or three productive years. The broader pattern — senior players departing the Test format in quick succession — deserves scrutiny beyond individual choices.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kapil Dev unhappy with Virat Kohli's Test retirement?
Kapil Dev felt Kohli still possessed the ability to compete in Test cricket and could have reclaimed his place with patience. He suggested that had Kohli avoided reacting emotionally and waited six months, there was every chance he would have played for India again.
When did Virat Kohli retire from Test cricket?
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, ahead of India's tour of England. He cited having 'given everything' to the format as his reason for stepping away.
What are Virat Kohli's Test cricket statistics?
Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries, over a 14-year red-ball career. As captain, he led India to 40 wins in 68 matches, making him the country's most successful Test captain.
Who did Kapil Dev compare Virat Kohli to?
Kapil Dev compared Kohli to tennis legend John McEnroe, noting that both athletes performed at their best when driven by emotion and confrontation. He contrasted this with the more restrained approaches of Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sachin Tendulkar.
Does Virat Kohli still play international cricket?
Yes. Despite retiring from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Kohli continues to play ODIs for India and is expected to be a key figure in India's campaign at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
