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After the high-octane Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, the focus now shifts to the upcoming five-match Test series between India and England. The Indian Test squad has flown to England to begin preparations for the new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27.

As anticipation builds for the series—set to begin on June 20 at Headingley—the team will undoubtedly feel the absence of legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has made a bold prediction, suggesting that Kohli might come out of retirement and make a comeback.

Virat Kohli to make a Test comeback?

The 'King' stepped away from red-ball cricket on May 12, bringing an end to an illustrious 14-year career in the format. In over 123 Tests, he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries to his name. While he recently also helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) get their first-ever IPL title, Kohli admitted that the triumph still pales in comparison to the emotional weight of Test cricket.

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Michael Clarke believes that if India suffers a heavy defeat in the upcoming series—potentially even a 5-0 whitewash—the pressure from fans and the broader cricketing community could push Virat Kohli to reconsider his Test retirement.  

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast, Clarke reflected on Kohli's deep love for the traditional format. He suggested that if Indian cricket hits a rough patch during the England series, there's a genuine chance Kohli could be persuaded to return—provided the selectors, captain, and fans are behind the idea.

"If India gets hammered in England—say they lose 5-0—I wouldn't be surprised if there's a strong public push for Kohli to return," Clarke said. "He's still passionate about Test cricket. If there's a call from the captain, selectors, and fan support, I think he'd seriously consider it."

Clarke also spoke about the simultaneous retirement of Rohit Sharma, calling him a sharp tactician and praising his leadership. "With Rohit stepping away from Tests and Kohli too, it's a huge loss for red-ball cricket," Clarke noted. "Test cricket will undoubtedly miss both of them."

Michael Clarke on the stampede in Bengaluru

The former Aussie legend also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic stampede that occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, June 4, during RCB's IPL 2025 victory celebrations. Reflecting on the incident, the former Australian captain emphasized the importance of safety during large public gatherings.  

"It's devastating. Hopefully, we never see something like this again," Clarke said. "Fans and players should be able to celebrate such moments together, but it has to be done safely. My thoughts are with all the families affected. It was a tragic end to what had been an incredible season."

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