Reports: Virat Kohli retired from Tests despite possibility of captaincy return

It may take India quite a considerable amount of time to fill the No. 4 spot in the Test side, as Virat Kohli has decided to call it a time in the format and will only focus on playing the One-Day Internationals now. Kohli, who was expected to travel to England for the five-match Test series, voluntarily retired about a month ahead of the Indian team's expected departure for the United Kingdom.

However, a recent report has suggested that Kohli did not hang his boots at will, but forced to do so. During India's recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the former skipper was to be trusted with captaincy once again, however, things did not go as planned, which might have led to a cold war between Kohli and the top management officials including chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

"At least people close to him do seem to suggest that he was given sort of a hint that he would be getting the captaincy after Adelaide. But then things changed," a report by Sports Today mentioned as quoted by NDTV.

KL Rahul expected to float multiple batting roles

As it has always been the case, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is expected to don multiple roles in India's batting order, after Rohit Sharma and Kohli retired from Tests ahead of a crucial tour and the fresh World Test Championship cycle. Going by his previous record in England, Rahul can be entrusted with the role of an opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, whereas, in home conditions, he can be slotted in to take up Kohli's No. 4 position.

Several media outlets have said that the squad for the series against The Three Lions is to be announced on May 23, where Shubman Gill is also to take up the role of India's future Test captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah are also in the race for a leadership position. It is, hence, all up to the likes of a relatively younger team to carry forward the baton passed on to them by the departing seniors.