Guwahati collapse triggers questions over Virat Kohli’s…as India…

After India disappointing performance in Guwahati Test on Monday, star India cricketer sparked a bold claim that Virat Kohli may have stepped away from the wrong format.

New Delhi: With India on the verge of second home whitewash in 12 months, their batting collapse in Guwahati on Monday sparked a bold claim that Virat Kohli may have stepped away from the wrong format. The remark followed India’s batting collapse to 201 all out in the final Test against South Africa, after which the visitors stretched their lead to 314 by stumps on Day 3 at the Barsapara Stadium.

Posting on X, former India cricketer Sreevats Goswami suggested that Kohli should have stepped away from ODIs instead and continued in Test cricket, arguing that the longest format still misses the energy, passion, and winning mindset he once brought to the team.

Sreevats Goswami suggested that Kohli should have stepped away from ODIs

“Ideally Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket untill he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for where he made the team believe that they can win in any condition,” Goswami wrote.

“The winning mentality & that fire which was there under Virat Kohli feels missing in this team,” he had added in an earlier post.

Ideally Virat should have left playing ODIs & continued playing test cricket untill he had nothing to give. Test cricket misses him. Not just as a player but just the energy he brought, the love & passion playing for 🇮🇳 where he made the team believe that they can win in any…

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) November 24, 2025

Kohli announced his Test retirement in May

Kohli stunned the cricketing world in May when he announced his retirement from Test cricket, just five days after Rohit Sharma stepped away from the format. Both legends had already ended their T20I careers following last year’s World Cup in June and now continue to play only ODI cricket.

After smashing a brilliant half-century in Sydney last month against Australia in the ODI series, Kohli will be eager to strengthen his spot in India’s ODI squad for the 2027 World Cup as he returns for the three-match series against South Africa later this month.

South Africa posted a total of 489 in first innings

In Guwahati, South Africa posted a total of 489, powered by Senuran Muthusamy’s first Test century and a rapid 93 off 91 balls from No. 9 Marco Jansen. Jansen later dismantled India with a spell of 6 for 48, bowling out the hosts for 201.

Despite holding a 288-run advantage, South Africa opted against enforcing the follow-on and closed Day 3 at 26 for no loss after eight overs. Having already clinched the Kolkata Test by 30 runs, the visitors are now close to securing only their second Test series win in India, the last achieved in 2000.

South Africa extend the lead to 549

Talking about Day 4, South Africa scored 260, thanks to an impressive knock from Tristan Stubbs, who fell just 6 runs short of a well-deserved century, while Tony de Zorzi also contributed 49. Their effort extended the lead to 549. India, having already lost both openers, will now look to avoid another whitewash this year.