Ravi Shastri Opens Up on Kohli’s Test Retirement

In the wake of Virat Kohli’s unexpected decision to retire from Test cricket, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared insights suggesting the move wasn’t as impulsive as it appeared. Known for their strong bond both on and off the field, Shastri and Kohli formed one of the most successful captain-coach partnerships in Indian cricket history.

Speaking to The ICC Review, Shastri recalled a conversation he had with Kohli just a week before the retirement announcement. While many around the globe were anticipating a few more years from the Indian stalwart, Shastri said Kohli's clarity left little room for doubt.

“I had a chat with him about a week prior, and his clarity was striking. He felt he had given everything he had,” said Shastri. “There was no hesitation in his voice. I asked him a couple of things — personal questions — and his responses convinced me that he had made peace with his decision. His mind had clearly told his body it was time to step away.”

Kohli’s exit from the longest format came amidst a prolonged slump in form. Once boasting an average well above 50 in Tests, his numbers had declined since 2020, settling at just over 46. In 65 Test innings post-December 2020, he averaged 32.09, scoring only three centuries and nine half-centuries.

Beyond numbers, Shastri highlighted the toll that Kohli's unrelenting energy and combative style could have taken. Kohli not only played 68 Tests as captain — winning 40 — but also bore the emotional and strategic burdens of leadership with unmatched intensity.

“When he commits to something, he dives in completely — it’s hard to replicate,” Shastri remarked. “Most players focus on their own roles — a bowler bowls, a batter bats. But with Virat, he shouldered everything. He celebrated every wicket, agonized over every dropped catch, took every decision as his own. That level of involvement can wear anyone down.”

Shastri acknowledged that burnout was inevitable if a player didn’t manage workload carefully — especially someone like Kohli who operated at full throttle across all formats. Despite this, Shastri admitted that the decision caught him off-guard.

“To be honest, I thought he had two or three more good years left in Test cricket,” he admitted. “But when your mind is exhausted, it communicates with your body. You might be the fittest guy around, but if you’re mentally spent, it doesn’t matter. That’s when the curtain drops.”

The former coach went on to praise Kohli’s enduring legacy, particularly in how he revitalized interest in Test cricket during an era dominated by shorter formats. Kohli, Shastri believes, gave red-ball cricket a new edge with his aggressive mindset and larger-than-life presence.

“He's a global icon. In the last ten years, no cricketer has had a fan base like his,” said Shastri. “From Australia to South Africa, he pulled crowds. People either loved him or hated him — there was no middle ground.”

“His celebrations, his intensity — it was fiery and, at times, provocative. But that’s what made him so compelling. He wasn’t just a cricketer; he was a spectacle. His energy rippled through dressing rooms and living rooms alike. He brought life to the game.”