Jaffer claims Kohli was bitter about Agarkar treatment

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer claimed that Virat Kohli was unhappy with the way he was treated during Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chief selector, suggesting this may have contributed to Kohli's Test retirement. Jaffer said Kohli was preparing for the England tour and could have continued playing red-ball cricket. The former opener rated Agarkar's three-year stint 7 out of 10 while questioning how certain players were handled. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, ahead of India's tour of England and shortly after Rohit Sharma's retirement announcement. Jaffer questioned decisions involving Suryakumar Yadav's dropping after winning the T20 World Cup, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's exclusion from T20Is, and the handling of Mohammed Shami, Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran. He acknowledged Agarkar's willingness to make difficult decisions during a successful white-ball period. Agarkar's tenure ended earlier this month with Pragyan Ojha appointed as interim chief selector. Jaffer noted that India won two World Cups, the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy during Agarkar's time in charge.