Former Indian player came to persuade Virat Kohli, said- please do not retire, Test cricket without you…

Ambati Rayudu has asked his former fellow Indian cricketer and inspirational batsman Virat Kohli to rethink his rumored retirement from Test cricket. Kohli has told the BCCI on Saturday that he wishes to retire from Test cricket before the pivotal five-match tour in England beginning from June 20. The BCCI has asked the previous Indian captain and team veteran batsmen to rethink their retirement because he has significant work in their hands in this form, including their visit to England.

Rayudu believes that the team will not be the same without Kohli's presence. Rayudu wrote in his post on social media, "Virat Kohli, please don't retire. The Indian team needs you more than ever. You still have a lot left in you. Test cricket will not be the same without you playing for Team India. Please reconsider."

India's tour of England for a five-Test series marks the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for them. Rohit Sharma has retired from Test cricket. At the same time, India captain Virat Kohli is the most successful captain in this format in 68 Tests.

Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal wrote on 'X', "Virat Kohli still has a lot of cricket left in him. For the sake of the Indian team, I hope he continues to play in this format. There is no greater champion for Test cricket than him at the moment and we cannot let go of such an ambassador of the game so soon #ViratKohli." Since making his Test debut in 2011, Kohli has played 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. But if Kohli goes ahead with his plan to retire from Tests, India will face a lack of experience on the Test tour of England in his and Rohit's absence.