Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary has raised questions over Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket, suggesting that something unusual might have forced the decision. Kohli, who had a mixed 2024-25 Australia tour despite a century in the opening Test, shocked fans by stepping away from the longest format.
After 12 years, Kohli returned to domestic cricket, playing a Ranji Trophy match against Railways at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The game drew a large crowd, but Kohli struggled and scored only 6 runs off 15 balls. Soon after, he shifted focus to the Champions Trophy and IPL, before announcing his retirement in the middle of the league — a format he once called the most valuable.
Tiwary Calls the Decision “Shocking”
Manoj Tiwary believes Kohli had plenty of cricket left.
“No way. So he could have easily played for another three years minimum and four years. It was very surprising and shocking for all the cricket fans, including me as well, because all we knew that he’s so physically fit and he was preparing himself for the England series,” Tiwary said on CricTracker.
Kohli’s Test career spanned 14 years and 123 matches, with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He scored 30 centuries, including seven double tons, establishing himself as one of India’s all-time greats in red-ball cricket.
“Virat Kohli Has Evolved as a Human Being”
Tiwary hinted that the timing of Kohli’s retirement indicates deeper issues.
“I don’t know what happened. What is the story behind the scenes? I think he was not feeling like he was wanted in Team India. Only he can say. I think he will not come out and ever say this thing in public forum because the human he has become, he has evolved as a human being, I think he is very happy with what God has given to him. He is becoming spiritual as well. When someone becomes spiritual, they just leave all these things aside and focus on the present. They don’t want to talk about the past. He has evolved as a human being; I don’t think he will come forward and ever say what has happened behind the scenes,” he added.
“Something Fishy Happened in Indian Cricket”
Tiwary did not mince words and hinted at problems within the team environment.
“But as a cricket lover, things that are happening around Team India, the cricketers like us who know a little bit, we all know what’s happening behind the scenes. I think he did not like the atmosphere he was playing in,” he concluded.
Kohli’s sudden exit has left fans and experts divided, with many echoing Tiwary’s sentiments that the decision was abrupt and shocking.
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