IPL boss begs Virat Kohli not to retire if RCB win the final; wants him to reverse Test retirement

IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has made a big statement about Indian cricket star Virat Kohli ahead of the big final. Dhumal requested Kohli to keep playing in the IPL, even if Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally win the trophy this year. He also urged Kohli to change his mind and not retire from Test cricket.

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, just days before the BCCI announced the squad for the England series. Meanwhile, there have been speculations that Kohli might retire from the IPL as well if RCB manage to lift the elusive title this season. RCB are in the IPL 2025 final, slated to be held on 3 June.

IPL Chairman requests Kohli not to retire

Speaking about Kohli’s fitness, Dhumal said, _"_Fitness that Virat has, he is probably fitter than he was in season 1. I want Virat to continue playing even after RCB wins the trophy. The whole country would want Virat to continue, and I would want him to reconsider his decision to retire from Test Cricket."

“I hope that he doesn’t take retirement from IPL, he is the greatest ambassador for the sport. His commitment to cricket is equivalent to what Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic is to Tennis, so I want him to continue,” he added.

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VIDEO | IPL Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal wants Virat Kohli to reconsider his retirement from test cricket. He also wants Virat to continue playing IPL even if RCB wins the trophy this time. He has also drawn a parallel between Virat Kohli in cricket and Roger Federer and Novak… pic.twitter.com/t5Y3p1DTZH

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 1, 2025

Will Kohli retire from IPL if RCB win final?

Kohli had announced retirement from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup last year. He stepped down from red-ball cricket following a dismal Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia and before the start of the new World Test Championship cycle for India. Kohli will now only be available in ODIs for the national side.

Kohli recently won the ICC Champions Trophy for India in Dubai and has been RCB’s top run-scorer this IPL season, helping them reach the final. However, if RCB clinch their first-ever IPL title, there are concerns that Kohli might consider retiring from the game. Dhumal’s request has come keeping that in mind.