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Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary believes star batter Virat Kohli could have extended his Test career, citing the team’s environment as a reason for his early exit.
Kohli, who officially retired from Test cricket in May 2025, brought down the curtain on a stellar red-ball career with 123 Tests, 9230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 fifties to his name.
Widely regarded as one of India’s most successful Test skippers, Virat Kohli led India to historic series wins, including a landmark triumph in Australia, a first by an Asian team.
Kohli’s Test retirement followed his T20I exit in 2024 after leading India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup, where they beat South Africa in the final.
Now, Tiwary has commented on the talismanic batter’s departure from five-day cricket, citing his fitness and the Indian team environment in an interview with a sports outlet.
“No way. So he could have easily played for another three years minimum and four years. It was very surprising and shocking for all the cricket fans, including me as well, because all we knew that he’s so physically fit and he was preparing himself for the England series,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened. What is the story behind the scenes? I think he was not feeling like he was wanted in Team India. Only he can say. I think he will not come out and ever say this thing in public forum because the human he has become, he has evolved as a human being,” he added.
The 39-year-old discussed the team’s atmosphere and the sudden changes that took place behind the scenes, which led to his unexpected decision.
“But as a cricket lover, things that are happening around Team India, the cricketers like us who know a little bit, we all know what’s happening behind the scenes. I think he did not like the atmosphere he was playing in, Manoj Tiwary concluded.
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