Former India U19 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Shreevats Goswami has sparked speculation about a potential Test return for Virat Kohli after posting a strongly worded message on X (formerly Twitter). His comments come at a time when India’s batting lineup is under immense scrutiny during the ongoing IND vs SA Test series.
India’s struggles have been evident throughout the series. After a disappointing performance in the first Test, where the team failed to chase down its second-lowest target and slumped to a 124-run defeat, the batting order again faltered in the second Test in Guwahati. Losing five wickets for just 50 runs, India now faces the embarrassing possibility of a rare home whitewash.
Reflecting on the situation, Goswami suggested that India is missing the presence and mentality Kohli once brought to the longest format. He shared his views publicly, stating, “Ideally Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket until he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for India where he made the team believe that they can win in any condition.”
Goswami’s remarks highlight a belief held by many fans—that Kohli’s intensity, leadership, and technical proficiency in red-ball cricket are sorely absent as India continues to struggle against South Africa.
Kohli, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year ahead of the five-match England series, ended his red-ball career with 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85. His tally includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties, placing him fourth among India’s all-time Test run-scorers behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar.
However, Kohli’s final phase in Tests was far from his dominant peak. He managed only 185 runs across his last eight matches, averaging 26.4—a decline that made his decision to step away appear logical for someone aiming to prolong his career in formats where he remains highly effective.
Goswami’s post, though speculative, has reignited a conversation around whether Kohli might reconsider his retirement to help stabilize India’s Test lineup. While there is no official indication of such a move, the timing of the message—amid India’s recurring collapses—adds weight to the sentiment.
For now, Kohli’s immediate focus will shift to white-ball cricket. The dynamic right-hander is set to return in the IND vs SA ODI series starting November 30, where fans will hope to see him continue the form that has defined his illustrious limited-overs career.
