Manoj Tiwary Suggests Virat Kohli’s Test Exit Was Not Entirely Voluntary
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has reignited debate around Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, claiming that circumstances behind the scenes played a decisive role in the star batter stepping away from the longest format.
Kohli’s departure from red-ball cricket continues to draw attention because of the massive imprint he left on the game. Across more than a decade, he shaped India’s Test identity through prolific run-scoring, aggressive leadership, and an intense competitive streak that defined an era.
With contemporaries like Joe Root and Steven Smith still compiling centuries, discussions about the void left by Kohli often resurface whenever major Test performances dominate headlines.
Tiwary Pushes Back on “Easiest Format” Narrative
Speaking to InsideSport, Tiwary responded to remarks made by Sanjay Manjrekar suggesting that Kohli had walked away from the toughest format while continuing in comparatively easier ones.
Tiwary disagreed sharply, stating that his own understanding of events pointed to Kohli being nudged toward the decision rather than choosing it freely. He argued that the environment around the team and selection dynamics created pressure, even though the final call was announced by Kohli himself.
According to Tiwary, once those internal factors are taken into account, it becomes unfair to frame the retirement as a simple personal preference or a move motivated purely by run-scoring opportunities.
Social Media Reaction and Ongoing Debate
Clips of Tiwary’s comments quickly spread across social platforms, fuelling an already active cycle of reaction surrounding Kohli’s Test farewell. Other former cricketers have weighed in with varying opinions, keeping the topic firmly in the public eye.
So far, Kohli has not expanded on the explanation he previously offered for his decision, which means every new statement from ex-players or commentators tends to spark fresh headlines.
India’s Transition Phase Adds Context
The discussion has also gained traction because India’s current Test batting lineup is undergoing a transition. Comparisons with the previous core group — of which Kohli was a central pillar — are almost inevitable whenever the team struggles or new players are tested under pressure.
Tiwary’s remarks have therefore landed in the middle of a broader national conversation, one that repeatedly returns whenever Test cricket takes center stage and the format demands its trademark endurance and technique.
For now, differing viewpoints continue to coexist, ensuring that Kohli’s red-ball legacy — and the circumstances around its ending — remain subjects of intense discussion.
