Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed disappointment over Virat Kohli’s sudden decision to retire from Test cricket, especially with a marquee England tour around the corner. Kohli, who signed off from the format after 123 matches, was just 770 runs away from joining the elite 10,000-run club in Tests. His decision came as a surprise to many, given his immense fitness and impact in the format.
Shastri, speaking to Sportstar, said he firmly believes Kohli still had at least two more years of top-level Test cricket in him. In fact, Shastri suggested that India could have even handed the Test captaincy back to Kohli for the England series this summer, highlighting how impactful his leadership has been in English conditions in the past.
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“I would have loved to see Virat in England. He still had a couple of years left at the top. Giving him the captaincy again for the tour wouldn’t have been a bad idea. But of course, only he knows what led to this decision. Physically, he was in supreme shape. Mentally, perhaps the grind got to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if mental fatigue or burnout was the decisive factor,” Ravi Shastri said.
Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket marks the end of an era. With his exit from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup win, the former skipper is now expected to focus solely on ODIs—possibly until the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.
Ravi Shastri further added that Kohli isn’t someone who will linger in the game post-retirement through coaching or commentary roles. “When he’s done, he’ll walk away completely. He won’t coach, he won’t be in the commentary box. That’s just who he is. I’ll miss seeing him when India plays its first Test in England. He was a warrior—someone who never gave up an inch,” Shastri reflected.
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As India gears up for a high-stakes series against England, the absence of Kohli will undoubtedly be felt—not just for his runs but for the sheer intensity and presence he brought to the longest format. His departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, both on and off the field.
