Former India head coach Ravi Shastri got emotional while reacting to Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, calling it a moment that could have been handled with more care. Shastri, who shared a highly successful partnership with Kohli during his captaincy years, praised the star batter’s immense contribution to the longest format. “It’s only when you go that people truly realise how big a player you were,” said Shastri, emphasizing that Kohli’s legacy goes far beyond statistics.
Speaking on Kohli’s influence, Shastri highlighted the batter’s leadership and impact, especially during overseas tours. “The way he played at Lord’s, the intensity he brought to the field, and how the team turned games around — it was unreal,” he said. According to Shastri, Kohli was not just a great cricketer but a true ambassador for Test cricket, keeping the format alive with his passion and aggressive style of play, especially away from home.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, describing the decision as extremely difficult but necessary. He stated that he had given everything to Test cricket and leaves with no regrets. Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, went on to become India’s captain in 2014. Over a span of 14 years, he played 123 Test matches, scoring 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries — making him India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Kohli’s final Test appearance came earlier this year in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. India lost the match and the series 3-1, marking the end of Kohli’s remarkable red-ball journey. However, his recent performances were under scrutiny, particularly during the Australia tour, where he scored just one century and 190 runs in nine innings. Despite the dip in form, Shastri and fans alike believe Kohli’s contribution to Indian Test cricket remains unmatched.
