Virat Kohli Could Come Out Of Retirement If India Falter In England, Says Clarke

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has made a bold prediction, suggesting that Virat Kohli might reconsider his retirement from Test cricket if India endure a crushing defeat in the upcoming five-match series against England. Kohli, who recently won maiden title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shocked fans last month by announcing his retirement from the longest format after 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries at an average of 46.85.

바카라�I believe this,바카라� Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast on Friday. 바카라�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.바카라�

What Clarke Believes?

Clarke stressed that Kohli바카라�s passion for the red-ball format remains undiminished. 바카라�I think if he was asked by the captain, selectors and supported by fans, if they get beaten big time in England, I think he바카라�ll come. He still loves Test cricket. I think those words 바카라� you could hear his passion for Test cricket is real.바카라�

Kohli himself had reinforced that sentiment even after fulfilling his dream of winning the IPL, stating that the title triumph still ranked 바카라�five levels under Test cricket.바카라�

India바카라�s Test squad will also be without Rohit Sharma, who retired alongside Kohli ahead of the England tour. The five-Test series begins at Headingley in Leeds on June 20, with Shubman Gill stepping in as India바카라�s new red-ball captain.

Clarke Praises Sudharsan

Clarke was full of praise for both departing stars. 바카라�Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket. I think tactically any team will miss his captaincy. I think tactically he was a brilliant captain. Virat Kohli walks away from Test cricket. Devastating! What an absolute champion he바카라�s been and Test cricket will miss him.바카라�

Still, Clarke expressed confidence in the new-look Indian squad. 바카라�If that바카라�s the case, then so be it. But if they don바카라�t perform, if they get beaten, like I say, 5-0 in England 바카라� which I don바카라�t think they will 바카라� I think they can still win in England, even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think this Indian squad is a good squad.바카라�

Among the next generation, Clarke singled out young left-hander Sai Sudharsan for special praise following his breakout IPL season with Gujarat Titans. 바카라�Forget he's the leading run scorer, but to me, this kid is a superstar,바카라� Clarke said. 바카라�I think he바카라�s a number three in Test cricket. I think he바카라�s probably going to open the batting in time in India's T20 team.바카라�

바카라�He바카라�s in their Test squad. He gets his first opportunity in England. I think he can walk straight into bat number three. I think technically he's very good. He's got all the shots and mentally he's ready. He really impressed me. And he's a good-looking player as well. He's got that left-hander backlift. He plays all the shots; against the quicks he'll take on the short ball.바카라�

Clarke also took a moment to address the tragic stampede that marred RCB바카라�s victory celebrations in Bengaluru, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people. 바카라�It's devastating to see anybody get injured or hurt or even worse, pass away 바카라� it's absolutely devastating. Hopefully, we never see this again.바카라�

He added: 바카라�I think the players should be able to celebrate with the fans. Even if it's packed, take the players to the stadium and let them do a lap of honour at their home ground 바카라� something like that. Whatever it is, I hope this doesn't stop players and fans being able to celebrate together because I think the fans deserve it. But you never, ever want to see someone get hurt or injured or pass.바카라�

바카라�So yeah, thoughts are with all the families. Devastating news. It certainly was a sad end to what has been an absolutely incredible season.바카라�