Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli was left a bit bitter by the way his Test retirement was handled, suggesting the star batter could have played on in the longest format.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer said the circumstances surrounding Kohli’s exit could have been managed better. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, ending a 14-year career in which he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries in 123 Tests. Jaffer feels a player who draws crowds to the stadium the way Kohli does deserved a better-managed farewell.

The England tour that never happened

Jaffer pointed to Kohli’s preparations for the England tour as evidence that things could have been handled better. The former captain had been keen to tour and had even turned out for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy fixture in January 2025 to underline his commitment to red-ball cricket. He was, as Jaffer put it, preparing and gearing up for the tour.

But the situation reportedly changed in April, when Kohli was told the team management intended to back a younger captain for the England tour and that his place in the side would be assessed on the same terms as any other batter. Feeling increasingly disillusioned, Kohli informed the selectors that he did not want to be part of the tour. Attempts by close associates and some BCCI officials to persuade him to reconsider reportedly proved unsuccessful.

A new era in the selection panel

Jaffer also questioned the handling of senior players by former chief selector Ajit Agarkar, whose three-year tenure ended on October 4, 2026. Agarkar has said Kohli reached out to him in early April 2025 saying he wanted to finish. Pragyan Ojha has been appointed interim chief selector while the BCCI seeks a permanent replacement, and Jaffer — who rated Agarkar’s tenure seven out of ten — hopes the new panel manages its senior players with greater care.