India, June 19 -- Virat Kohli's shock decision to retire from Test cricket last month sent ripples through the cricketing world. Long regarded as one of the fiercest advocates for the red-ball format, Kohli had not only led India to historic heights during his captaincy but also remained a core figure in the side even after stepping down as skipper. However, his form had begun to waver in the 2024/25 season, where he managed just a single century in 10 Tests. The prolonged slump raised some questions about his place in the XI, ultimately leading to an unexpected but defining end to a storied Test career.

Despite his poor form, however, many saw Kohli as one of the first names on the flight to England for the five-Test series before his s...