“The Nation Needs You”: Shashi Tharoor’s Emotional Call for Virat Kohli’s Return to Test Cricket
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A powerful tweet by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is capturing national attention for expecting Virat Kohli’s return. As India teeters on the brink of defeat in the final Test of the India-England series at The Oval, London.
Tharoor, known for his eloquence both in Parliament and on social media, shared what many Indian cricket fans are feeling: Virat Kohli’s absence hurts — and it’s hurting now more than ever.
“I Miss Him Most in This Match” — Tharoor on Kohli
In a heartfelt message, Tharoor didn’t hold back his admiration for the cricket legend.
“I’ve been missing @imVkohli a few times during this series, but never as much as in this Test match,” he tweeted.
With India trailing, and England charging toward their 374-run target with a dominating 195-run partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root, Tharoor voiced what many consider a national sentiment:
“His grit and intensity, his inspirational presence in the field, not to mention his abundant batting skills, might have led to a different outcome.”
And then came the rallying cry:
“Is it too late to call him out of retirement? Virat, the nation needs you!”
The Match Context: India Falters Without Kohli
The final Test, part of the newly-named Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, saw India struggle at The Oval. England, chasing 374, looked in complete control, thanks to brilliant centuries from their top order.
Fans watching this play out couldn’t help but wonder: What if Kohli had been on the pitch?
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Virat Kohli’s Return in Test Cricket
Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025 — ending a glorious chapter that spanned 14 years.
- Runs Scored: 9230
- Batting Average: 46.85
- Centuries: 30
- Half-Centuries: 31
Kohli’s retirement note struck a deeply emotional chord:
“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
It’s that grit, that hunger, and that unmistakable passion — missing in this final Test — that has fans and politicians alike wishing he would reconsider by expecting Virat Kohli’s return.
The Bigger Question: About Virat Kohli’s Return ?
Tharoor’s tweet is more than nostalgia — it’s a challenge. Can Kohli resist the growing calls for a return? With India’s next Test series looming and the memory of this defeat stinging, don’t be surprised if the pressure builds.
Whether he listens or not, one thing’s clear: Virat Kohli’s legacy is alive and well — and still sorely missed.
Final Thoughts
In cricket, legends never really leave. Whether on the field or off it, Kohli continues to inspire — not just with runs, but with the idea of Virat Kohli: fearless, intense, irreplaceable.
And as Shashi Tharoor so powerfully put it:
“Virat, the nation needs you.”
Is there any chance of Virat Kohli’s return?
