England legend suggests BCCI’s “if you don’t score…” warning may have led to Virat Kohli’s Test exit

Panesar hints BCCI warning led to Kohli's Test exit

As Team India gears up for the much-anticipated tour of England, several young players will aim to seize the opportunity, particularly following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While fans and experts are still processing the duo stepping away from Test cricket, it was Virat’s decision that caught most people off guard, given his fitness and age.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar, when asked about Kohli’s retirement, shared that he had expected the Indian star to continue playing.

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Monty Panesar suggested that the BCCI selection committee and team coaches might have warned Virat Kohli that he could be dropped if he didn’t deliver in the first two Tests.

“I think he was definitely going to play. I think England were expecting, everyone was expecting him to play. I’m surprised he’s kind of like bailed out. But maybe the fact that outside off-stump, he’s just thinking, well, you know, they may have had a word with him. They said, look, if you don’t score well in the first couple of Test matches, don’t expect to play all the five. So, he’s probably thinking, well, I’ll just call it a day and give the youngsters a go,” the retired England spinner said.

When asked to share his prediction for the series, Panesar said much would hinge on how Karun Nair, making his return to the Indian side, performs.

“It would depend on how Karun Nair performs, he scored a double-hundred against the England Lions. He and Shubman Gill, that middle-order, how they bat. I think the batters who’ve played county cricket, if they are able to then transform that same form at the international level, then I think India have got a chance to win.” said Panesar

But if they just somehow freeze, it’s the big stage, it’s the crowd, it’s playing for India, it’s not playing for Surrey or some other county, and suddenly they’re not playing the same level like it’s for England Lions when there’s only like a dog and, you know, one man and his dog,” he added