The Indian cricketer Virat Kohli shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from test cricket recently but as per a report, before he publicly announced his retirement from Test cricket, he reached out to key figures from his cricketing journey, including former India head coach and all-rounder Ravi Shastri.
Their professional bond, forged during Virat Kohli’s captaincy and Ravi Shastri’s coaching tenure, spanned from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2017 to 2021. It proved to be one of the most successful partnerships of Indian cricket. Under their combined leadership, India achieved historic milestones such as its first-ever Test series win in Australia and an ODI series victory in South Africa. The team consistently dominated the Test rankings, staying at the top for three consecutive years. They made it to the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and reached the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, narrowly missing out on the title in a rain-affected match against New Zealand.
As reported, Virat Kohli did not make this decision in isolation. Apart from his conversation with Ravi Shastri, he spoke multiple times over the phone with India’s current chief selector Ajit Agarkar and was also expected to hold a discussion with Jay Shah. These discussions followed widespread speculation that Virat Kohli had informed the board of his intention to step away from Test cricket.
After the news broke on social media, Ravi Shastri expressed deep admiration for Virat Kohli’s contribution to the longest format of the game. He described him as a modern-day great and a fierce ambassador for Test cricket, praising not just his playing style but also the intensity and passion with which he led India. Ravi Shastri conveyed that Virat Kohli had left behind memories that would be cherished forever, particularly by those who witnessed his growth and leadership closely.
Virat Kohli’s decision sparked reactions from across the globe, with prominent figures from different sports expressing their respect and admiration. Tennis legend Novak Djokovic, English football star Harry Kane and UFC icon Conor McGregor were among those who acknowledged Virat Kohli’s legacy and bid him farewell from the format.
Though Virat Kohli stepped away from T20 Internationals last year and has now ended his Test journey at the age of 36, he continues to remain available for One Day Internationals. His departure adds to a broader transition phase in Indian cricket, following similar recent retirement announcements from fellow senior players Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Virat Kohli’s thoughtful exit from Test cricket underscores the end of a significant era, one defined by resilience, intensity and historic triumphs under his leadership.
