Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket may not be down to physical exhaustion or the inevitable effects of age. Instead, former England captain Nasser Hussain believes it’s Kohli’s relentless drive for excellence — his refusal to be “just another cricketer” — that led him to bow out from the longest format of the game.
Kohli’s sudden decision to retire from red-ball cricket earlier this week shocked many in the cricketing fraternity. At 36, he was still seen as the heartbeat of India’s Test side — not only its most successful captain but also the man credited with reigniting the global love for the five-day game with his infectious passion and aggressive leadership.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Nasser Hussain praised Kohli’s all-or-nothing mindset, suggesting it may have played a role in his decision.
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“He is the ultimate winner. Everything Kohli does is about winning. That’s why he thrives in run chases — because he can’t step onto the field and not give 100 percent,” Nasser Hussain explained. “Maybe he didn’t want to become a cricketer who just ‘does his best.’ He’s not built to coast along. He wants to lead, to inspire, to dominate. Perhaps that’s why he felt it was time.”
Kohli walks away from Test cricket with an extraordinary record: 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His highest score — an unbeaten 254 — remains one of the many highlights in a glittering career.
But beyond numbers, it was Kohli’s aura that stood out. His aggression, pride, and unfiltered emotion connected with millions of fans who saw in him the spirit of modern India. Hussain echoed this sentiment.
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“I’ve been a massive Kohli fan for the last 14 years. His passion, energy, and presence lifted Indian cricket. He showed fans what it truly means to play for India,” Nasser Hussain said. “He made them the No. 1 team in the world and kept them there for over three years. The next captain has massive shoes to fill.”
In leaving on his own terms, Kohli once again did what he always has — set the bar impossibly high.
