Aaron Finch, former Australian captain and a contemporary of Virat Kohli during their IPL days at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has weighed in on the narrative surrounding Kohli’s Test retirement. While some may be quick to judge Kohli’s recent numbers as underwhelming compared to the peaks of his earlier career, Finch emphasised a deeper layer to his red-ball legacy—his selflessness and team-first mindset, particularly in home conditions.
Speaking on JioStar, Aaron Finch pointed out how Kohli never sought to inflate his personal stats by demanding flat, batter-friendly pitches.
“He batted on turning tracks from day one, where even scoring 30 was tough. It wasn’t about personal milestones—it was about winning Tests,” Aaron Finch noted. He added that Kohli’s ego never came in the way of the team’s needs. “He could have asked for flat wickets, padded his record, and walked into the pantheon of statistical greats. But he didn’t.”
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Kohli’s Test captaincy was as dominant as it was transformative. With 40 wins in 68 matches, he remains India’s most successful Test skipper. He also set a new benchmark for away wins, with 16 overseas victories under his leadership—surpassing Sourav Ganguly’s long-standing record of 11.
Ravi Shastri, who coached India during Kohli’s peak years, endorsed Aaron Finch’s take. “Coming from you, it makes a bigger impact than when I say it,” Shastri quipped, aware of the criticism he often faces for being “too pro-Kohli.”
Kohli’s sudden retirement ahead of the anticipated five-match Test series against England has left Indian cricket in a transitional moment. His decision came as a surprise, especially given his stature and expected role in guiding the next generation through a pivotal series.
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While the numbers in the latter half of his career may not shine as brightly, Kohli’s legacy remains etched in the ethos he brought to Indian Test cricket—competitive, uncompromising, and above all, selfless.
