Wasim Jaffer questions handling of Virat Kohli's Test retirement

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has suggested that Virat Kohli may have retired from Test cricket due to bitterness regarding his treatment by the selection panel. Speaking on his YouTube channel following the conclusion of chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s three-year tenure, Jaffer questioned how senior players were managed.

Kohli announced his retirement from the Test format on May 12, 2025, shortly after Rohit Sharma’s departure on May 7, 2025. Jaffer noted that Kohli was actively preparing for a tour of England at the time, suggesting the player could have played more red-ball cricket. While Agarkar maintained that Kohli’s decision was entirely personal and autonomous, Jaffer expressed concerns that the circumstances surrounding the exit indicated poor management of a high-profile athlete.

In his assessment of Agarkar’s tenure, Jaffer gave the chief selector a score of 7 out of 10. He credited the panel with significant white-ball successes, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but criticized the handling of several senior players, including Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav.