Why Test Cricket Misses Kohli: A Void Felt in India’s Series Struggle
The roar of a home crowd. The pressure of a collapsing innings. The unwavering belief that somehow, someone will turn it around. For over a decade, that someone was often Virat Kohli. But on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, as the Indian batting order crumbled for a paltry 201 runs, that belief was conspicuously absent. This stark reality has prompted a viral post from former RCB player Shreevats Goswami, who bluntly states, “Test cricket misses Kohli,” and his sentiment is echoing across the cricketing world .
Table of Contents
- Goswami’s Stinging Critique on Kohli’s Retirement
- The Current Crisis: India’s Batting Collapse
- Kohli’s Test Legacy: Why He Was Irreplaceable
- The Future: What Next for Indian Test Cricket?
- Conclusion
- Sources
Goswami’s Stinging Critique on Kohli’s Retirement
Shreevats Goswami, a former Indian domestic stalwart and a familiar face from the RCB dugout, has never been one to mince words. In the wake of India’s potential series defeat on home soil—a scenario almost unthinkable during Kohli’s captaincy—he has issued a powerful statement. Goswami believes that Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket in May 2025 was premature and a significant blow to the team’s core .
His core argument is that the current Indian side is missing more than just a top-order batsman; it is missing an infectious energy and a fierce winning mentality . He argues that Kohli’s presence alone was a confidence-booster for the entire unit, a psychological shield against pressure situations that the current team seems to lack.
In an ideal scenario, Goswami even suggested that Kohli should have stepped away from ODIs to prolong his Test career, highlighting just how crucial he views Kohli’s role in the red-ball format . His post, which has now gone viral, serves as a poignant reminder of the intangible qualities a leader like Kohli brought to the dressing room.
The Current Crisis: India’s Batting Collapse
The context for Goswami’s outburst is dire. India is staring down the barrel of a humiliating home series defeat against South Africa. After losing the first Test in a tense, low-scoring affair at Eden Gardens by 30 runs, the team’s hopes rested on the second and final Test in Guwahati .
However, the script has repeated itself. Following South Africa’s imposing first-innings total of 489, India was bundled out for just 201 in their reply, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen leading a devastating pace attack . At stumps on day 3, South Africa had already wiped out the deficit and were leading by 314 runs with all 10 wickets in hand—a commanding position from which they can push for a series sweep .
This repeated batting fragility, especially against high-quality pace, is what has fans and experts alike yearning for a player of Kohli’s caliber, who thrived in such high-stakes, high-pressure environments.
Kohli’s Test Legacy: Why He Was Irreplaceable
Virat Kohli’s Test career was nothing short of legendary. He retired on May 12, 2025, after a 14-year journey that saw him amass 9,230 runs in 123 matches, including 30 centuries . But his legacy is defined by more than just statistics.
Under his captaincy, India became a formidable force overseas, winning historic series in Australia and dominating at home. His aggressive brand of captaincy and his own fearless batting in crisis situations set a new standard for the Indian Test team. He didn’t just play to survive; he played to win, a philosophy that has seemingly been lost in the current transition phase.
The table below highlights the stark contrast between the Kohli era and the present:
| Era | Home Test Record (Last 5 years) | Key Batting Trait | Team Mentality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kohli Era (2016-2024) | Nearly Invincible | Aggressive, resilient | Fierce, winning |
| Current Era (2025) | On the brink of home defeat | Fragile, tentative | Tentative, lacking belief |
The Future: What Next for Indian Test Cricket?
Goswami’s comments are not just a nostalgic look back but a critical analysis of the present. The question now is, who fills the massive void left by Kohli? Can the current crop of players like Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shubman Gill develop the same killer instinct? Or is India in for a period of rebuilding and learning the hard way?
The team’s performance in this series against a resurgent South Africa will be a crucial indicator. The lack of a senior, dominant batsman to anchor the innings and take on the bowling in a crisis is a glaring issue that needs an immediate solution. While the technical skills are there, the mental fortitude that Kohli personified seems to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
For a deeper dive into the evolution of Indian Test cricket, explore our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:indian-test-cricket-evolution].
Conclusion
Shreevats Goswami’s viral post has struck a chord because it articulates a feeling shared by many fans: that India’s current struggles are not just about technique but about a missing spirit. The phrase “Test cricket misses Kohli” is more than a catchy headline; it’s a testament to the profound impact a single player can have on a team’s identity and performance. As India fights to avoid a humiliating series loss, the ghost of Kohli’s competitive fire looms large over the Barsapara pitch. The future of Indian Test cricket now hinges on whether a new leader can emerge to embody that same relentless will to win.