Virat Kohli surprised everyone when he retired from Test cricket. But now, former India coach Ravi Shastri has shared that Kohli had already talked to him about it. Kohli told Shastri that he had no regrets and had given everything he could in Test cricket.
On May 12, Kohli announced his retirement even though India’s big Test series in England is coming soon. Kohli ends his Test career with 9230 runs — the fourth-highest for any Indian — and 30 centuries.
Virat Kohli and Shastri’s strong partnership
Advertisement
Kohli and Shastri worked together for many years and had a lot of success in Test cricket. Shastri said that Kohli called him about a week before the public announcement.
“We spoke, and his mind was clear. He told me he had given everything and had no regrets,” Shastri said in The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan.
Shastri added, “His mind told his body that it was time to stop.”
Virat Kohli’s passion had its limits
Virat Kohli is India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches. He always played with a lot of emotion and energy.
Shastri said, “He gave 100% to everything. It felt like he had to do everything — take wickets, take catches, make decisions.”
Shastri believes that kind of energy can lead to burnout if a player doesn’t rest or manage his schedule well.
Fame and pressure affected him too
Advertisement
Shastri said Virat Kohli’s popularity around the world also made things harder for him.
“People loved watching him in Australia, South Africa, everywhere. But sometimes his intense reactions made fans angry too,” Shastri explained.
He said Kohli’s passion was so strong that it affected not just the team but also fans watching at home. “He had an energy that spread quickly.”
Shastri didn’t expect Kohli to retire now
Shastri was surprised by the timing. He thought Virat Kohli had 2–3 more years left in Test cricket. But mental tiredness changed that.
“You might be the fittest player in the team, but when your mind is tired, your body feels it too,” Shastri said.
Kohli’s big wins as captain
Under Virat Kohli, India achieved many firsts — a historic Test series win in Australia, back-to-back wins in West Indies, and a series win in Sri Lanka after 22 years. The team also played tough cricket in South Africa and England.
Shastri said Kohli deserves a lot of credit for these successes.
“Many players feel later, ‘I wish I had done this or that.’ But Kohli has done it all, won World Cups, led teams, and even won the Under-19 World Cup. He has nothing left to prove,” Shastri said.
Virat Kohli’s Test career was full of big moments. His energy and passion made him special. Even though he’s done with Tests, his impact will be remembered for a long time.
ALSO READ: Full List of Foreign Players Available for IPL 2025 Matches
Advertisement