New Delhi: In a candid revelation, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has confirmed that Virat Kohli reached out to him a week before announcing his surprise retirement from Test cricket. During their conversation, Kohli expressed clarity and peace of mind, saying he had “no regrets” and had given his all to the longest format of the game.
Kohli, 36, announced his retirement on May 12, just weeks ahead of India’s highly anticipated five-match Test series in England. He departs as one of the greatest Test batters of his generation, amassing 9,230 runs with 30 centuries, and finishing as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins from 68 matches.
Speaking on The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri shared insights into their private exchange.
“I did speak to him about it a week before his announcement. His mind was very clear—he said he had given everything he had. There were no doubts, no regrets. That’s when I knew the decision was final,” said Shastri.
“The mind had told the body: it’s time to go.”
Shastri, who coached the Indian team through some of its most successful years under Kohli’s leadership, reflected on the intensity and commitment Kohli brought to the field.
“With Virat, if he took up something, he gave it 100 percent. That kind of involvement isn’t easy to maintain. He wasn’t just a batsman or captain—he played every ball, took every catch in spirit, and made every decision as if it was all on him,” Shastri explained.
That relentless intensity, according to Shastri, eventually led to burnout, especially considering Kohli’s global stardom and the constant scrutiny he faced.
“He’s arguably the most followed cricketer in the past decade. Whether in Australia or South Africa, he drew people to the game. His passion was infectious—he got under the skin of opponents and even fans watching on TV,” Shastri said.
“But that comes at a cost. Mental fatigue builds, even if you’re physically the fittest guy on the team.”
Despite his understanding of the reasons, Shastri admitted he was surprised by the timing of Kohli’s decision, believing the star batter had “two to three more years” left in Test cricket.
Kohli and Shastri’s partnership saw India scale new heights in red-ball cricket, including a historic Test series win in Australia, back-to-back victories in the West Indies, and a long-awaited series win in Sri Lanka. Under their leadership, India also fought fiercely in South Africa and England, earning admiration for competing strongly in traditionally difficult overseas conditions.
In closing, Shastri praised Kohli’s legacy:
“He’s done it all—led the team with distinction, won an Under-19 World Cup, performed across formats. There’s nothing left for him to prove.”
Kohli’s departure marks the end of an era, and his absence will surely be felt in the Indian dressing room and among fans worldwide.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
