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Rayudu Urges Virat Kohli's Test Cricket Comeback After Stellar IPL Knock

Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu has suggested Virat Kohli should make a comeback to Test cricket, potentially as captain, following Kohli's unbeaten 69 for RCB against SRH. Rayudu praised Kohli's current batting form and fitness, stating he still has five to six years of top-level cricket left in him. Kohli retired from Test cricket last year after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, ending with over 9200 runs. He now only represents India in ODIs, having stepped away from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup win.

Key Points: Virat Kohli Test Comeback Urged by Rayudu After IPL 69*

  • Rayudu lauds Kohli's consistency
  • Suggests Test cricket comeback
  • Calls him India's best red-ball captain
  • Believes he has 5-6 years left
2 min read

IPL 2026: 'He should make a comeback in Test cricket,' says Rayudu after Virat's unbeaten 69 vs SRH

Ambati Rayudu says Virat Kohli should return to Test cricket, calling him India's best red-ball captain, after Kohli's match-winning 69* for RCB vs SRH.

IPL 2026: 'He should make a comeback in Test cricket,' says Rayudu after Virat's unbeaten 69 vs SRH
"I think he should make a comeback in Test cricket. Hopefully, as a captain. - Ambati Rayudu"

New Delhi, March 29

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has lauded Virat Kohli's consistency and suggested a red ball return for the 37-year-old after his unbeaten 69-run knock helped the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru register a dominant 6 wickets win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening match of the Indian Premier League played at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium on Saturday.

Virat's innings included five fours and five sixes, as he registered his 64th IPL fifty and became the first batter in IPL history to cross 4000 runs in chases. With the help of this, RCB chased down the target of 202 runs with 26 balls to spare.

Rayudu believes that the way Virat is batting in ODIs and continuing his form in the biggest T20 league is quite amazing. According to the former player, Virat still has five to six years of international cricket left in him.

"I feel his best is yet to come in the IPL. What we have seen is just a trailer. Fitness was never an issue with him. I don't think he would ever get into any trouble with his physical fitness, getting late on the ball, or slowing down on the field. The only thing that can make him take a step back is his mental state. I don't think he's anywhere closer to the end of his career. I still see quality five to six years in him," Rayudu said in a video released by ESPNcricinfo on X.

"I think he should make a comeback in Test cricket. Hopefully, as a captain. He's been the best red-ball captain that at least I have seen in Indian cricket. He should, the way he's batting, I think it's a loss for Indian cricket," he added.

India's finest test player, Kohli, announced his retirement from the red ball format last year after a poor Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). He concluded his career with 9230 runs in 123 matches, hammering 30 centuries and 31 fifties.

Virat has previously left the T20I format after India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory, and he now only plays ODI for the country.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I disagree with Rayudu. Virat retired from Tests on his own terms after a legendary career. We should respect that decision and focus on building the future. The young players need space to grow now.
A
Ananya R
The man is a run machine! 4000 runs in chases in IPL? Unreal consistency. Watching him bat yesterday was pure class. If he feels he can contribute to the Test side, I'm all for it. The passion is unmatched. 💪
V
Vikram M
Captaincy again? Not sure about that part. But as a pure batsman, he would walk into any Test XI in the world based on current form. The technique and temperament are still top-class. Hope he considers it.
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Karthik V
His fitness is a different level altogether. At 37, he's outrunning youngsters. The bigger question is, does he *want* the grind of Test cricket again? The schedule is brutal. Let's see what Virat thinks.
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Priya S
As a fan, I would love to see him in whites again. That cover drive is a thing of beauty. But we must also be practical. He's focusing on ODIs and IPL, and doing brilliantly. Maybe let's just enjoy this phase.

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