When Will Virat Kohli Next Play for Team India?
Virat Kohli has officially retired — but only from Tests and T20 Internationals. The announcement has understandably left a void in Indian cricket, especially for fans who watched him dominate red-ball cricket with unmatched intensity and drive. As tributes pour in for one of the game’s modern greats, many are left wondering: when will Kohli don the Indian jersey again?
The answer isn’t too far away.
No More in Whites, But Not Done Yet
Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, coupled with his earlier exit from the T20I format, marks the end of an era. His absence will be deeply felt during the upcoming five-match Test series against England, where a young Indian side will try to hold its ground without one of its most inspiring figures.
But while fans may not see him in the whites again, the Delhi stalwart isn’t done with international cricket just yet.
IPL First, ODIs Next
Before returning to international action, Kohli is set to resume duty for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025, which restarts on May 17 following a mid-season suspension. RCB’s campaign will resume with a crucial clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, and fans can expect to see Kohli back in the middle, leading from the front in franchise colors.
Following the IPL, all eyes will shift to India’s next ODI assignment.
India’s Next ODI Series – August in Bangladesh
India’s next scheduled One Day International is against Bangladesh on August 17, at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. This will be the first of a three-match series, with the remaining two fixtures slated for August 20 and August 23.
Given that Kohli remains committed to the ODI format and hasn’t retired from it, he is expected to be part of the squad, assuming fitness and form. The Bangladesh series would offer an ideal platform for Kohli to make his international return in blue after the IPL.
Geopolitical Uncertainty Looms
However, the political climate between India and Bangladesh may threaten the viability of the tour. If the series gets called off due to rising tensions, Kohli’s next appearance for Team India may be delayed until October.
What’s After Bangladesh?
Here’s a look at India’s upcoming schedule, which could feature Kohli:
- August: 3 ODIs vs Bangladesh (TBC due to political situation)
- September: Asia Cup 2025 (T20I format)
- October 19–25: 3 ODIs vs Australia in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney
- October-November: 5 T20Is vs Australia (Kohli not expected to play)
- November-December: 3 ODIs vs South Africa in Ranchi, Raipur, and Vizag
All ODI series ahead — particularly the ones against Australia and South Africa — are expected to include Kohli, as India begins to shape its team for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Tributes Pour In After Test Retirement
Following Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, BCCI president Roger Binny paid glowing tribute to the former captain, stating:
“Virat Kohli’s name will be remembered alongside the finest ever to have graced Test cricket. What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs, but his commitment to excellence in the toughest format of the game. His leadership marked a shift in how India competed overseas—with aggression, belief, and a refusal to settle for second best. He inspired a generation to take pride in the whites, and his impact on Indian cricket will be felt for decades to come.”
What to Expect Next
Though the curtain has closed on his Test and T20I careers, Virat Kohli’s ODI journey is still alive. With IPL 2025 resuming soon and a string of 50-over fixtures on the calendar, it won’t be long before fans get to witness the maestro back in blue — still hungry, still focused, and still chasing greatness.
