Virat Kohli’s unexpected retirement from Test cricket has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, and the conversation shows no signs of slowing down. Adding his voice to the discourse, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri shared his insights in a recent column for Sportstar, shedding light on Kohli’s future in the sport.
“He continues to contribute to Indian cricket in ODIs, but I firmly believe that Virat will step away completely once he hangs up his boots. Coaching or broadcasting isn’t his calling—he’s a competitor at heart. When India takes the field for their first Test in England, his absence will be deeply felt. He was a champion in every sense, a player who never backed down,” Shastri wrote.
Shastri also expressed his wish for Kohli to have extended his Test career by another two years, particularly with India’s crucial Test series in England on the horizon. He believed Kohli’s leadership could have been invaluable for the tour. “I’m confident Virat had two more years of top-tier Test cricket in him. Handing him the captaincy for the England series would have been a masterstroke. But he knows his reasons best. Perhaps mental fatigue played a role—his fitness was never in question, but the mind can be a formidable opponent. Burnout might have been the silent factor in his decision to bow out at such a pivotal juncture,” he added.
“He Didn’t Just Play Cricket—He Commanded It”
Shastri delved into the legacy Kohli leaves behind, emphasizing his transformative impact on Indian cricket. “Comparisons are futile. I’ve shared the dressing room with legends like Gavaskar and Tendulkar, but Virat stood apart. I watched him not just from the broadcaster’s box, but from the heart of the team’s pressure cooker environment. He didn’t just walk onto the field to play—he walked out to dominate. He didn’t just win matches; he redefined how India approached the game,” Shastri reflected.
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