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Shastri: Kohli’s Test Retirement “Could Have Been Handled Better”
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed deep disappointment over how Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket was handled, saying the move came too suddenly and lacked the emotional and ceremonial closure a player of Kohli’s stature deserved. Shastri, who shared a close professional bond with Kohli during one of India’s most successful Test eras, described the situation as one marked by poor communication and missed leadership opportunities.
Shastri Reveals Prior Knowledge of Kohli’s Plans
Speaking ahead of India’s upcoming series against England, Shastri disclosed that Kohli had privately told him in April about his plans to step away from Test cricket. Despite this, the formal announcement in May took fans and the cricketing world by surprise, lacking the kind of farewell typically associated with legends of the game.
Shastri noted, “It could have been handled better. Someone of his stature deserves more. I feel sad that he’s gone the way he has.”
Praise for Kohli’s Test Legacy
Shastri didn’t hold back in his admiration for Kohli’s role in redefining Indian Test cricket. “Stats don’t do justice to him… it’s about the way he carried himself overseas,” he said, citing Kohli’s aggressive and committed leadership style that helped India clinch historic Test series wins in Australia and remain competitive abroad.
He especially recalled Kohli’s innings at Lord’s, calling it “unreal,” and credited him for bringing fitness, intensity, and a new cultural standard to the longest format.
BCCI’s Handling and Missed Captaincy Call
Shastri also took a veiled swipe at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its selection panel for not giving Kohli another chance at the captaincy post-Rohit Sharma. The panel chose Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, a decision Shastri hinted might have come prematurely. “If I was there, I would have offered it to him after Australia,” he remarked.
This statement has fueled discussions about continuity in leadership and whether Kohli’s abrupt exit might have been averted had there been more proactive dialogue within Indian cricket’s top circles.
Kohli’s Monumental Test Career
Kohli retires with a formidable Test record—9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. As captain, he oversaw 40 wins in 68 Tests, making him India’s most successful Test captain to date. His contribution extended beyond numbers, influencing a generation of players and fans with his intensity and professionalism.c
