Wasim Jaffer says Virat Kohli was 'a bit bitter' about how his Test retirement was handled

Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube channel that Virat Kohli was "a bit bitter" about how his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025 was handled, and questioned the way the situation unfolded as Kohli prepared for India's England tour.

Kohli's decision followed months of uncertainty over his future in the longest format, during which he had signalled his commitment to red-ball cricket by playing for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy fixture in January 2025 and had expressed a desire to tour England. According to reports cited by Jaffer, the situation changed in April when selectors told Kohli that team management intended to back a younger captain for the England tour and that his place would be assessed on the same terms as any other batter. Feeling disillusioned, Kohli informed the selectors that he did not wish to be part of the England tour, and efforts by close associates and some BCCI officials to persuade him to reconsider reportedly proved unsuccessful.

Jaffer questioned whether Kohli's exit needed to take the course it did and said the batter could have continued in Test cricket. "A player like Virat, he draws crowds to the stadium; he has such a massive following. He definitely could have played more Test cricket. Until we hear directly from Virat what the actual situation was, we won't know for sure," Jaffer said.

Jaffer pointed to Kohli's preparations for the tour as a reason the retirement raised questions about management of the situation. "But I mean, he was preparing; he was gearing up for the England tour. So, all those things could have been handled better. As I said, regarding certain individuals, things could have been managed better," he said.

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, bringing an end to a 14-year career in which he scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, in 123 Tests.

On selection policy, Jaffer said some of the choices made by Indian cricket's decision-makers were bold and produced positive results while others left players and fans disappointed. "Bold decisions were taken, and I feel that could have been handled better," he said, adding a distinction between formats: "We've played good white-ball cricket. We haven't played as well in red-ball cricket, but that isn't the selector's fault. That falls on the coach and the captain. It's up to them what team they field. Selectors can only pick the players."

Jaffer said the overall job had merit but that aspects of the process could have been more diplomatically managed. "So, I feel he has done a decent enough job; he took some bold decisions that paid off, though he certainly disappointed some individuals and many fans too, I'd say. That could have been handled better. In my opinion, it could have been managed a bit more diplomatically," he added.