India's red-ball transition begins: Ashwin, Rohit gone, Kohli next?

With the former India skipper reportedly ready to retire, big changes are in the offing for Indian cricket

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

Virat Kohli has been in red-hot form for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that was suspended for a week due to ongoing cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

However, with the Indian team set to tour England for a crucial five-Test rubber, marking the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it won't be surprising if the ageing Virat also joins the recently-retired list of Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Statesman has learnt that the talismanic batter has already expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket to the BCCI, and has been having such discussions with the top brass for quite some time.

Given that his form in red-ball cricket has been on a decline, there are indications of the 36-year-old giving up the longest format and take the same route as Rohit by continuing in 50 overs cricket.

Both Kohli and Rohit had retired from T20Is after India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the Americas.