Virat Kohli felt bitter over handling of Test exit, says Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has suggested that the circumstances surrounding Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket were handled poorly. In comments made on his YouTube channel, Jaffer expressed his belief that Kohli felt a sense of bitterness regarding the process that led to his exit from the format, noting that the star batter likely could have continued to play at the highest level.Kohli, who announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, concluded his 14-year career in the format having accumulated 9,230 runs and 30 centuries across 123 matches. According to Jaffer, the decision arrived after months of uncertainty. Jaffer specifically pointed to Kohli’s active preparations for a tour of England as evidence that the situation could have been managed with greater sensitivity towards the player.Reports indicate that Kohli had maintained his commitment to red-ball cricket, including an appearance for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy fixture in January 2025. However, the situation reportedly shifted in April when Kohli allegedly became disillusioned by ongoing developments. Although efforts were reportedly made by individuals close to the player and certain BCCI officials to urge him to reconsider his stance, Kohli informed selectors that he would not participate in the England tour.Jaffer emphasized that until further details are provided by the former captain himself, the exact reasons behind his discontent remain speculative. He highlighted that a player of Kohli’s stature, who draws significant crowds and holds a massive following, deserved a more transparent handling of his transition. Following his retirement announcement in May, Kohli’s departure marked the end of an era for the Indian Test team, leaving questions about the internal processes that preceded his exit.