Is Sachin Tendulkar the 'Highly Influential Figure' Enlisted by BCCI To Convince Virat Kohli?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pulling out all stops to convince Virat Kohli, 36, to reconsider his reported decision to retire from Test cricket, according to a Cricbuzz report.

With the squad selection for India’s England tour—starting June 20—set for May 23, the BCCI has enlisted a “highly influential figure” in Indian cricket to persuade the veteran batter to continue in the longest format.

Speculation is rife that this figure could be Sachin Tendulkar, given Kohli’s reverence for the cricket legend, though no official confirmation exists.

Also Read: “Algorithm Mistakenly Registered an Interaction”: Virat Kohli’s Clarification Sparks Meme Fest

Kohli, with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, remains a linchpin for India, especially after Rohit Sharma’s recent Test retirement. The BCCI is keen to understand why Kohli, who has yet to win Test series in England, New Zealand, or South Africa, wants to step away. He is also 770 runs shy of 10,000 Test runs, a rare milestone for Indian cricketers. Despite a stellar career, Kohli’s form has dipped since 2019, with only one year (2023) averaging above 50 post-2020. His three-year century drought from 2020-2023 and a modest 190 runs in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy have fueled scrutiny.

The BCCI sees Kohli’s experience as vital for a transitioning team, with a young captain likely to lead an inexperienced middle order featuring KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The upcoming England tour poses a formidable challenge, making Kohli’s presence crucial. Social media posts on X have fueled speculation about Tendulkar’s involvement, citing his influence over Kohli, but these remain unverified.

Will this mystery figure—potentially Tendulkar—convince Kohli to chase unfinished milestones? As the BCCI awaits his decision, Indian cricket holds its breath for the outcome.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Kohli's Consistency Makes Things Happen for RCB