Sanjay Bangar opens up on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement heading into remainder of IPL 2025

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar reckons Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test matches is a positive for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Bangar, the former RCB coach, said Kohli can go full throttle in the rest of IPL 2025 as he doesn’t need to worry about preparing for the Test tour of England.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and announced his Test retirement through a social media post on Monday.

Meanwhile, Kohli has been in fine form in IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17. The veteran has scored 505 runs in 11 matches of the tournament at an average of 63.13 and a strike rate of 143.46. Thus, Kohli has played a key role in the success of the franchise as they are in a shoo-in position to qualify for the playoffs.

“He would have taken this decision after a lot of deliberation. He wouldn’t have gotten up one day and taken this decision because you get just one chance in life. Now he will definitely want to put all his energies into 50-over cricket and the IPL,” Bangar said on Star Sports.

“I feel it’s a great sign for RCB because if he remains fresh, and now he doesn’t have to think about preparing for Tests after this, so the load on his shoulders will be removed in a way, and he will be seen batting more explosively. You will see the same passion, discipline, and commitment from him in the upcoming matches,” the former RCB head coach added.

On the other hand, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif lauded Virat Kohli for delivering while batting at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru in the ongoing season.

“Virat scored runs in the two back-to-back matches they won at home. They were winning away, but they started winning at home when Virat Kohli’s bat fired. 200 runs were scored twice at home when Kohli scored. Then RCB won. I believe he is in fantastic form,” he replied.

“Virat Kohli is doing it alone this time. He is in the Orange Cap race. He has scored 505 runs. He is in form. So the responsibility will be on him as they will be playing two matches at home. The rhythm with which Virat Kohli is playing, it’s certain that RCB will win at home also if he continues in the same vein,” Kaif observed.

Kohli would look to be at his best for the rest of the IPL.