Former England cricketer David Lloyd has made a bold statement on Virat Kohli’s future, especially in Test cricket, following his disappointing performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.
He also predicted that Gautam Gambhir will soon take a call on Kohli’s future. Kohli, who is one of the modern greats, finds himself under scrutiny as whispers of decline grow louder than ever following his string of poor performances in Test cricket.
David Lloyd predicts Virat Kohli’s Test cricket retirement on England tour
And now Lloyd has claimed that Kohli’s best days are behind him while pointing out that his struggles outside the off-stump in Australia are a sign of fading reflexes. Following Virat’s repeated dismissals in the slips in the recent Test series, questions are being raised about the 36-year-old’s reflexes and whether age has caught up with him.
However, the legendary England cricketer admitted that Virat Kohli is one of the greatest players the game has ever seen, but his prime days are over, and even he must know that, and that will hurt him and the cricket world.
The cricket expert has noted that the Indian selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir will have a big role in deciding the former Indian captain’s future with the team but reiterated that his time is over. India will next take on England later this year in Tests, and Lloyd doesn’t think Kohli will be able to change his fortunes, as his weakness outside off stump was well exploited by the Australian bowlers.
He has lost time, his time is over: David Lloyd on Virat Kohli
David Lloyd said on talkSPORT Cricket: “Virat Kohli knows he is past his best, and that will hurt. When India comes to England, you know where he’s going to be. Just outside off stump, and the business area will be the slips. At 36 years of age, up in the mind, he knows what he should be doing. Your reflexes gently go.
The selectors should know. He is one of the greatest players we have seen but is past his best. The coach, Gautam Gambhir, will have an enormous say, a big say, because he has been in that dressing room. He has lost time. His time is over.”
He has pointed out that time has caught up with Virat Kohli. David Lloyd has mentioned that great cricketers have the gift of time, but reflexes and reaction time decline with age, and that’s something that is happening with the Indian batting icon.
David Lloyd says Kohli’s reflexes and reaction signal his end
Lloyd has boldly said that Kohli’s repeated dismissals in the slips while chasing the deliveries outside off stump are signs that the right-handed batter’s time is gone and insisted that this is a natural phase of a player’s career. Notably, Kohli played in 10 Tests in 2024 and scored only 400+ runs at an average of 24.52.
The Englishman signed off by saying, “The one thing when you talk about great cricketers that the rest haven’t is time. He has lost time. It’s gone. His time’s gone. It comes with age. Everyone tells you what you need to be doing. Stuff like ‘leave the ball’ and watch it till the end.
But it’s gone. These are great international bowlers. If it’s a repetitive way of getting out—in a Test match, you know there’s going to be a bank of slips’. If you keep nicking off, it’s a telltale sign for anybody that reflexes and reaction time are gone.”