In an emotional and moving appeal, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu turned to social media to exhort Virat Kohli not to retire from Test cricket. In the midst of swirling rumors regarding Kohli's future in red-ball cricket, Rayudu's tweet hit a deep nerve with the fans all over the country. "The Indian team needs you more than ever," Rayudu tweeted, adding, "Test cricket will never be the same without you walking out to battle it out for Team India."

Kohli, who has already relinquished Test captaincy and has been choosy with red-ball games due to workload management and fitness, has said nothing regarding his Test future in recent weeks. But rumors of a possible full retirement from the format have picked up pace, particularly with Rohit Sharma also resigning and India moving to a transition period in Tests. Rayudu's popularity with the public arrives amidst a period when Indian cricket needs tested leadership and stability in the conventional game.

The 36-year-old Rayudu, who had roomed with Kohli for a few years, admitted that international cricket can take an emotional and mental toll, but made it clear that Kohli "has so much more in the tank" and is "irreplaceable when it comes to grit, intensity, and inspiration on the field." His tweet, full of sincere concern and admiration, went viral at once and elicited a deluge of the same kind of requests from fans and former cricketers as well.

Virat Kohli please don’t retire.. The Indian team needs you more than ever. You have so much more in the tank. Test cricket will not be the same without you walking out to battle it out for Team India.. Please reconsider..

— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) May 10, 2025

Also read: Was Rohit Sharma forced to retire from Test cricket? Michael Atherton sparks controversy!

Once again, Kohli's Visibility Matters in Test Cricket

Rayudu's call brings up again this discussion of Kohli's legacy in the longest form of the game. With over 8,500 runs in Tests, 29 hundreds and countless beyond memorable performances, Virat Kohli has been one of the stalwarts of India's dominance in world cricket for the last decade. Stats aside, his zealousness and aggression in a leadership role has brought back a focus of fitness, attitude, and competitiveness back into India's Test culture.

As the men in blue get ready for new leadership and a new England series, Rayudu's comments really hit home what so many would feel: Kohli's presence in the Test side still matters, for his ability and his valued presence as a senior statesman of the game. Whether or not the legendary batter doubts his red-ball future or has already made it up in his own mind remains to be seen, but for now, fans are speaking in one voice: "Please don't retire, King Kohli."