Virat Kohli's potential test retirement: Is it Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni, or another influential figure whom BCCI wants to mediate?

With Virat Kohli reportedly ready to bid farewell to Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now in a damage control mode. The decision, if finalised, would come just days after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format, creating a leadership and experience vacuum in India's red-ball setup.

According to reports, the BCCI has been in discussions with Kohli for over a month and is now contemplating a more personal intervention: a meeting with one iconic figure.

Why is the BCCI pushing for a rethink?

The urgency stems from a precarious moment in Indian cricket. Kohli, with 9,230 Test runs and an average of 46, has been a cornerstone of the Indian Test side, not just statistically but in setting an aggressive, fitness-driven tone for the team.

As such, his exit, coupled with Rohit Sharma’s, could destabilise a squad still reeling from inconsistency in overseas tours and ageing batting stalwarts.

The board believes that a high-profile intervention might appeal to Kohli’s emotional and competitive instincts, prompting a reconsideration of his decision. Speculation is rife that the BCCI is weighing three major names to carry out this task: Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, or Ravi Shastri.

Sachin Tendulkar: The moral voice of Indian cricket

Sachin Tendulkar, India's highest run-scorer and a revered figure in world cricket, enjoys enormous respect from Kohli.

Their bond is steeped in mutual admiration, with Kohli famously dedicating his 2011 World Cup triumph to Tendulkar. In terms of personal influence and emotional connection, Tendulkar may have the best chance of persuading Kohli to rethink.

The BCCI might hope that Tendulkar, who himself retired after a long and decorated career, can frame retirement as a matter of timing and legacy. Additionally, his gravitas and measured approach could resonate with Kohli, who has always considered Tendulkar a mentor.

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni: The leader Kohli once followed

Dhoni, India’s most successful captain and Kohli’s predecessor, shares a unique dynamic with Kohli. From handing him his first leadership role to backing him through dips in form, Dhoni has been a steadying influence in Kohli’s cricketing life. Moreover, their camaraderie is built on trust, tactical discussions, and shared success.

If the BCCI is looking for someone who can appeal to Kohli's team-first ethos and pride in Test cricket, Dhoni fits the bill as his knack for clear-headed counsel and quiet persuasion could nudge Kohli to delay retirement until a natural transition is possible.

Ravi Shastri: The motivator and architect of Kohli’s Test dominance

As head coach during India’s most successful overseas Test run in recent history, Shastri was instrumental in shaping Kohli's aggressive, fitness-driven team culture. The former all-rounder and commentator often acted as Kohli’s enforcer and ally, particularly during heated tours of Australia and England.

Shastri’s persuasive, high-energy style could appeal to Kohli’s competitive streak. More than anyone else, Shastri understands the ethos Kohli instilled in the Test side, and the consequences of leaving it mid-transition.

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A decision is likely before the England tour

With India set to face England in a five-match Test series from 20 June, the BCCI is keen to resolve the matter before the squad announcement expected around 23 May. Whichever cricketing luminary is chosen, the board hopes their voice will be enough to convince Kohli that his job in Indian whites isn’t over just yet.

Ultimately, the outcome may depend less on logic and more on legacy, and who among Tendulkar, Dhoni, Shastri, or perhaps someone else, can most effectively speak to Kohli’s sense of unfinished business.