Following India’s narrow defeat to England in the third Test at Lord’s, former cricketer Madan Lal has called on Virat Kohli to reconsider his recent retirement from Test cricket. India were in a strong position to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series but ultimately fell short, losing by 22 runs in a gripping contest.

Kohli had announced his retirement from the longest format just before the start of the series, a decision that caught many fans and experts off guard. Madan Lal, a 1983 World Cup winner, believes there’s still time for the veteran batter to reverse that decision.

“Virat Kohli’s passion for Indian cricket is unmatched. I wish he would return to Test cricket. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in coming back after retirement,” Madan Lal said in a conversation with CricketPredicta.

He added that Kohli still has at least one or two good years left in him and that his presence would be invaluable in guiding the next generation of cricketers.

“It’s about passing your experience on to the youngsters. He left it suddenly, but it’s not too late. Please come back,” Lal urged.

Shubman Gill’s Struggles at Lord’s

Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan pointed out technical flaws in Shubman Gill’s batting during the Lord’s Test. Despite having a stellar series so far — with a century at Headingley and a double hundred at Birmingham — Gill failed to deliver in the third Test, scoring just 16 and 6 in two innings.

“He didn’t look as technically tight or calm as usual,” Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph. “But I must credit the Indian team — their fight on the final day was commendable, especially from Ravindra Jadeja and the tail-enders.”

Vaughan also noted that the intensity England showed from the third evening onward helped them stage a dramatic comeback and ultimately secure victory.

What Lies Ahead

India will now aim to bounce back in the fourth Test, with fans and former players alike hoping for a strong finish to the series. Whether Kohli considers a comeback remains to be seen, but the call for his return has already gained momentum.