‘He had no regrets’ – Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement

Recently Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has confirmed media reports that Virat Kohli spoke to him before announcing his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, May 12. Shastri said he asked Kohli a few questions which made him feel that the former captain was quite clear in his mind that this was the right time to quit the format he loves the most.

Ravi Shastri revealed about the conversation with Virat Kohli

In the ICC Review, Ravi Shastri told, “I spoke to him about this, I think a week before (his announcement) and his mind was very clear that he has given his all. There were no regrets. I had asked one or two questions and that was a private conversation, which, you know, he mentioned very clearly, there was no doubt in his mind, which made me think and I also said that ‘yes, this is the right time’. The mind has told his body that now is the time to go.” Shastri said, “If he decided to do something, he gave his 100%, which is not easy to match. Individually, as a bowler, as a batsman. A player does his job and then you sit comfortably, but this is not the case with Kohli.

When the team goes out, it seems like he has to take all the wickets, he has to take all the catches, he has to take all the decisions on the field. So much involvement, I think if he doesn’t rest, if he doesn’t decide how much he wants to play in different formats, then there is going to be a burnout somewhere.”

Virat Kohli ended his Test career before the 5-match Test series against England. He ended his career with 9230 runs and 30 centuries in Test cricket. The pair of Shastri and Kohli was the most successful Indian pair in the history of Test cricket.