IPL Chairman Dhumal's Passionate Appeal to Kohli for reconsidering his Test Future

IPL Chief Urges Kohli to Rethink on his Retirements

With Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the verge of their much-anticipated IPL 2025 final, a prominent voice from Indian cricket administration has made a heartfelt appeal to star batter Virat Kohli. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has publicly urged Kohli to continue his journey in the Indian Premier League, irrespective of RCB clinching their maiden trophy, and to also rethink his recent retirement from Test cricket.

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Kohli, who has been in exceptional form for RCB and is a strong contender for the season's top run-scorer, announced his departure from Test cricket last month, just prior to the squad selection for the England series. This decision, coupled with RCB’s advance to the IPL final scheduled for June 3, has fueled speculation that the prolific batter might also call time on his IPL career should his franchise lift the coveted trophy.

Addressing these concerns, Dhumal emphasised Kohli's remarkable physical condition and his significance to the sport. "The fitness that Virat has, he is probably fitter than he was in season 1," Dhumal stated. "I want Virat to continue playing even after RCB wins the trophy. The whole country would want Virat to continue, and I would want him to reconsider his decision to retire from Test Cricket."

The IPL Chairman further highlighted Kohli's role as a global ambassador for cricket, comparing his dedication to that of tennis legends Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. "I hope that he doesn’t take retirement from IPL; he is the greatest ambassador for the sport. His commitment to cricket is equivalent to what Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic is to Tennis, so I want him to continue," Dhumal added.

This appeal comes after Kohli has already stepped away from T20 Internationals, a decision made after India's T20 World Cup victory last year. Following a challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, he also retired from the five-day format, making him currently available only for One Day International selection for India.

Despite these international retirements, Kohli's on-field prowess remains unmatched. He recently played a pivotal role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy victory in Dubai and his stellar performances have been instrumental in RCB’s impressive run to the IPL 2025 final.

Dhumal's public plea highlights the immense value Kohli brings to both domestic and international cricket. With RCB one win from a historic IPL title, the cricketing world eagerly watches the final and awaits news on Kohli's future. The administration clearly hopes his impactful presence continues.