"If they get beaten big time in England, I think he'll come" - Former Aussie captain's huge claim on Virat Kohli ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes Virat Kohli could return to Test cricket if India loses badly in their upcoming series in England. Team India will play five Tests in England, starting at Leeds on June 20.

Kohli retired from Tests in a shocker to the cricketing world last month, having played for India since 2011. He finished India's fourth all-time leading run-scorer with 9,230 runs at an average of almost 47 in 123 outings.

The news came after skipper Rohit Sharma walked away from the red-ball format a week before Kohli.

Talking about Kohli's Test retirement and a possible U-turn on the decision on the Beyond23 podcast, Clarke said (via Hindustan Times):

"If India go to England and get flogged, if they lose the series 5-0 for example, I think the fans will want Virat Kohli to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again. And I honestly, I think if he was asked by captain, selectors and supported by fans, if they get beaten big time in England, I think he'll come. He still loves Test cricket. I think his words, I think those words, like you could hear his passion for Test cricket is real."

He continued:

"He sees it as the pinnacle and he's still playing good enough cricket. He definitely made the decision to retire and whatever his reasons are, everybody comes to that time in their career. If that's the case, then so be it."

Despite the impressive overall numbers, Kohli's Test form was trending south, with the batter averaging only 22.47 in his last 10 matches.

"There'll be a push for Virat Kohli to come out of retirement" - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke believes the push for Virat Kohli to return in Tests will increase should India suffer a heavy series defeat in England. Batting aside, the 36-year-old captained India in 68 Tests, with the side winning 40 and losing only 17.

The veteran batter has been an integral part of the Indian side in their last three Test tours of England in 2014, 2018, and 2021/22.

"India is a passionate cricket country. They want to see their team win. I think they can still beat England. There you go. I think they're a good enough team. But if they don't, if they get flogged, I think there'll be a push for Virat Kohli to come out of retirement," said Clarke (via aforementioned source).

Kohli led India to a 2-1 series lead in their previous tour of England in 2021. However, the tour was postponed due to COVID-19, with the final Test played a year later after his captaincy tenure ended.