Middlesex have expressed interest in signing Virat Kohli for the 2025 domestic season following his retirement from Test Cricket.
Earlier this week, Kohli brought the curtain down on his illustrious Test career, having scored 8,848 runs at an average of 49.15, the fourth-highest by an Indian in the format. Yet, his legacy is perhaps best defined by his captaincy: with 40 Test wins as India's skipper – the most by any Indian captain – he transformed the team into a formidable travelling unit. Under Kohli, India triumphed in Australia, making him the first Asian captain to achieve a series win there. They also secured historic victories in South Africa and were strong favourites to conquer England in 2021 before COVID-19 disrupted the series.
Also read: Virat Kohli's 30 Test hundreds, ranked from worst to best
After the former India captain hung up his boots in the format, Middlesex confirmed that they are trying to tempt him to play domestic cricket in England for the 2025 season.
"Virat Kohli is the most iconic player of his generation, so of course we are interested in having that conversation," said Alan Coleman, director of cricket at Middlesex, to The Guardian.
Alan Coleman, director of cricket at Middlesex, to The Guardian:
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 17, 2025
“Virat Kohli is the most iconic player of his generation, so of course we are interested in having that conversation.” pic.twitter.com/pVm42X4fYR
In the past, Middlesex have signed heavyweights like AB de Villiers (for the 2019 T20 Blast) and Kane Williamson (for the second half of the season). Both deals were facilitated in partnership with the MCC, whose officials reportedly expressed willingness to share the costs of bringing Kohli to Lord's, according to The Guardian.
Kohli is still among the few players to be contracted under BCCI’s highest category of A+ and regularly plays in the IPL. That means he is barred from playing domestic T20 cricket overseas, ruling him out of the Blast and the Hundred. But like other India players, he could play in the County Championship or the Metro Bank Cup.
Kohli, who has a home in London, nearly played for Surrey ahead of India’s 2018 England tour, but a neck injury put an end to talk of his stint in South London.
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