A year after Virat Kohli’s Test retirement on May 12, 2025, the longest format continues to feel his absence. The former India captain’s departure has left a significant impact on international cricket, with observers noting how he shaped an entire generation of players.
Kohli’s retirement exposed India’s overdependence on one batter to carry the middle order. A year on, his absence hasn’t forced the selectors to build sustainable batting depth—they’ve merely shuffled the same flawed structure. The real problem: India still lacks a genuine number four with international pedigree. That tactical void, not nostalgia, is what actually haunts Indian Test cricket. The system failed to evolve around him.
Cheteshwar Pujara praised Axar Patel’s aggressive batting display against Punjab Kings, suggesting the Delhi Capitals skipper should abandon his conventional approach and play to his natural strengths instead of focusing on defence.
Pujara’s endorsement of Axar’s aggression exposes Delhi’s identity crisis under his captaincy. The real issue: Axar has thrived as a utility player precisely because he adapts. Asking him to abandon restraint contradicts his IPL success rate—he averages 32 when playing positionally flexible cricket. Pujara’s advice, however well-intentioned, risks destabilizing what works. Axar should ignore the noise and stick to calculated aggression, not reckless abandon.
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