Kapil Dev Questions Virat Kohli's Test Retirement as Records Fall Around Him

Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket continues to draw reaction from the game's greats, with India's World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev expressing his personal disappointment. The commentary comes as current players on the field are now rewriting the record books, with Shreyas Iyer recently eclipsing one of Kohli's notable T20I marks.

Kapil Dev Reflects on Kohli's Test Exit

Kapil Dev, India's first World Cup-winning captain, has spoken about Kohli's retirement from the longest format over a year ago. In comments reported six days ago, Kapil said he struggles to accept the decision and believes Kohli will one day regret not extending his Test career further. The legendary all-rounder stated he would not ask Kohli to return, but made his personal view clear. He feels the modern batting great should have continued playing Test cricket for longer.

Iyer Surpasses Kohli's Chasing Record

On the field, a specific captaincy record once held by Kohli has been broken. In a T20I against the West Indies in Lucknow, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer scored a blistering 102 not out from 43 balls. His explosive innings, which featured 10 fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 237.2, powered India to an eight-wicket victory while chasing 172. That knock made Iyer the first Indian captain to score a century while chasing in T20Is. The previous best for an Indian captain in a chase was Kohli's unbeaten 94 from 50 balls against the West Indies in Hyderabad back in 2019.

Where Iyer's Knock Stands All-Time

While Iyer's century broke Kohli's Indian record, it places seventh on the all-time list for highest scores by a captain in a T20I chase. The top spot is still held by Pakistan's Babar Azam, who smashed 122 from 59 balls against South Africa in Centurion in 2021. That score was later matched by Singapore's Aritra Dutta in 2024. Iyer's effort, however, is notable for its sheer ferocity and match-winning impact.

• Kapil Dev's view: The 1983 World Cup winner believes Kohli will later understand why he should have played Test cricket longer.
• Record broken: Shreyas Iyer's 102* surpassed Kohli's 94* as the highest score by an Indian captain in a T20I chase.
• All-time context: Iyer's knock ranks seventh with Babar Azam's 122 remaining the benchmark for a captain in a chase.

The evolving narrative around Kohli now balances legacy assessment with the reality that his on-field benchmarks are being challenged by a new generation. His records, built over a dominant career, are starting to fall as the game moves forward. Yet, discussions about his career choices, especially his departure from Test cricket, show his enduring influence on the sport's conversation in India and beyond.