When Will Virat Kohli Play Next for Team India After Test Retirement? Here's the Timeline

With Virat Kohli officially retiring from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, fans are now asking one pressing question: When will Virat next wear the India jersey? Since he's also stepped away from T20s after the 2024 T20 World Cup, ODIs are now the only international format where he'll be seen in Indian colors.

Here’s a breakdown of when you can expect to see Virat Kohli play next for Team India:

🏏 Next India Series: England Tour (Only Tests) – No Kohli

• Schedule: June–July 2025
• Format: 5-match Test series
• Virat’s status: Retired from Tests — Will NOT play.

🇧🇩 India vs Bangladesh – August 2025 (Possible)

• Formats: ODIs and T20Is
• Virat’s status: Will play only if ODIs happen
• Current issue: Political and scheduling uncertainty may result in series being postponed or canceled.

🇦🇺 India Tour of Australia – October 2025

• Formats: 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is
• Virat’s status: Very likely to play in the ODI series
• This could be his comeback to international cricket post-Test retirement.

🇿🇦 India vs South Africa – Home Series (Late 2025)

• Formats: ODIs, T20Is, and Tests
• Virat’s status: Will feature only in ODIs

🗓️ Summary Timeline Month Series Will Virat Play?

June–July	England (Tests)	❌ No
August	Bangladesh (ODIs/T20s) (Uncertain)	✅ If ODIs happen
October	Australia (ODIs)	✅ Yes
Nov–Dec	South Africa (ODIs at home)	✅ Yes

 

🧾 Virat Kohli’s Current ODI Record

• Matches: 302
• Innings: 290
• Runs: 14,181
• Average: 57.88
• Centuries: 51
• Half-Centuries: 74

🏆 What’s Next for Kohli?

Kohli’s eyes are now firmly set on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Every ODI match from now on will be crucial for him in terms of:

• Form and fitness
• Leadership and mentorship
• Building towards the final phase of his international career