London/New Delhi, August 4, 2025:
As India faces the prospect of a decisive series loss to England in the final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has brought public attention back to the absence of former captain Virat Kohli. Shashi Tharoor’s tweet—“Is it too late to call him out of retirement? Virat, the nation needs you!”—struck a chord on social media and reignited fan debate over India’s current batting depth and on-field energy.
The Heart of the Debate-Shashi Tharoor writes-
Kohli, who is currently on a personal break from international cricket, was lauded by Tharoor for his leadership and run-scoring prowess—assets India seemed to lack in the tense moments of the fifth Test. Tharoor’s remarks went viral, reflecting the widespread frustration and nostalgia among Indian fans as England closed in on a landmark victory.
Context: Series Situation and Team Challenges
India, behind 1-2 in the five-Test series, were pushing for a 2-2 draw in the final match at The Oval. After being dismissed for 224 in their first innings, India managed a 23-run first innings lead by bowling England out for 247. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century then powered India to 396 in the second innings, setting England a target of 374.
England responded strongly, recovering from 106/3 as Harry Brook (111) and Joe Root (105) shared a pivotal 195-run stand. At stumps on Day 4, England stood at 339/6, needing 35 runs to clinch the series 3-1, with rain delays only adding to the tension.
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Despite key contributions—especially from new captain Shubman Gill (700+ runs in his first series as skipper), as well as K.L. Rahul, Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant—many observers, like Tharoor, felt Kohli’s aggression and experience were missing in critical phases.
Fan and Selector Sentiment
While the team management has backed the current squad, the outpouring on social media—as sparked by Tharoor’s tweet—underscores how Kohli’s leadership aura and consistency are deeply missed by fans, especially during high-stakes contests.
With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line and England on the cusp of a famous home victory, the debate over Kohli’s potential return—however tongue-in-cheek—remains front and center in Indian cricket discourse.
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