Navjot Singh Sidhu Calls for Virat Kohli’s Test Cricket Return

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has made headlines with a heartfelt appeal for the return of star batsman Virat Kohli to Test cricket. Following Kohli’s retirement from the format on May 12, 2025, Sidhu took to Instagram, expressing his desire for Kohli to come back and play in the longest format of the game. He described Kohli as a “rare talent” and emphasized the joy his return would bring to India’s population of 1.5 billion.

Sidhu’s emotional message read, “If God granted me a wish, I’d say bring Kohli out of his retirement & make him play Test Cricket …. Nothing would give more joy and ecstasy to a country of 1.5 billion! His fitness is that of a twenty-year-old – he himself is 24 carat gold.” This post has resonated with fans who remember Kohli’s significant contributions to Indian cricket.

Kohli officially retired from Test cricket after a distinguished career in which he played over 123 matches. He accumulated 9,230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His leadership and passion for the game were pivotal during his captaincy, as he guided India to numerous victories both at home and abroad.

After stepping away from Test cricket, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 internationals following India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup held in Barbados last year. Since then, he has focused solely on One Day Internationals (ODIs). His performances in this format have remained strong, maintaining a high level of play.

Earlier this year, India participated in a short ODI series in Australia following their victory in the Champions Trophy. Kohli experienced an unusual start, registering two consecutive ducks, a first in his international career. Nevertheless, he showcased his resilience by scoring an unbeaten 74 in the final match in Sydney, contributing to India’s comfortable win.

Kohli continued his impressive form during the subsequent series against South Africa, where he scored centuries in the first two ODIs and added an unbeaten 65 in the decider. His contributions helped India secure a 2–1 series victory, with Kohli ending the year with 651 runs from 13 ODI innings, achieving an outstanding average of 65.10.

The remarkable statistics and recent performances of Kohli fuel calls from fans and cricketing personalities alike, including Sidhu, for him to reconsider his Test retirement. As discussions about Kohli’s potential return to the Test arena gain momentum, his legacy and impact on the game remain undeniable. The cricketing world continues to watch closely, hopeful for another chapter in Kohli’s storied career.