Virat Kohli drops news Indian cricket has always dreaded hearing

Virat Kohli has reportedly got Indian cricket chiefs begging for a change of heart with the star batsman’s call rocking 1.4 billion fans.

Virat Kohli has reportedly delivered the news Indian cricket chiefs — and 1.4 billion fans — have always dreaded.

According to multiple reports from the cricket-mad country, Kohli has made the decision to end his international Test cricket career before the team’s next Test series.

As reported by The Indian Express, Kohli has told Indian cricket officials he does not want to be involved in the five-match series against England, beginning June 20.

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However, the publication reports senior figures on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), have formally asked the 36-year-old to remain with the team through to the end of the series.

A huge hole was left in the Indian cricket team this week with former captain Rohit Sharma announcing his retirement from red ball cricket.

It’s why Kohli’s inclusion as a senior figure in the dressing room is viewed as vital by senior BCCI figures.

India's Virat Kohli celebrates scoring a hundred in the Champions Trophy. Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP.

Virat Kohli did not have fun in Australia. Picture: Michael Klein.

Kohli has been the rock at the centre of India’s middle order for most of his career — and losing Sharma and Kohli at the same time would be a gut punch.

The immediate departures of Sharma and Kohli add another layer of intrigue to the widespread reports of disharmony within the Indian dressing room during the team’s tour of Australia this summer.

It was reported before the SCG Test “fractures” had emerged within the Indian camp.

Despite the reported tension between senior players and the emerging talents recently selected, Kohli’s presence would seemingly be the best method of ironing out the issues the team is facing.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli. Photo by Shammi MEHRA / AFP.

The Indian Express reports Kohli is expected to ignore the final request from the BCCI.

“He has made up his mind and has informed the board that he is moving on from Test cricket. The BCCI has urged him to rethink as the crucial England tour is coming up. He is yet to revert on the request,” sources told the newspaper.

The publication reports Kohli has been considering retirement from Test cricket since Australia’s series victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Kohli last year announced his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket, and his aspirations to play domestic cricket remain unknown.

Indian chiefs are expected to announce the squad for the series against England this week.

Originally published as Virat Kohli drops news Indian cricket has always dreaded hearing