Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last week, drawing the curtain on a storied career that spanned 123 matches and yielded 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His decision, which comes ahead of India’s five-Test tour of England beginning June 20, follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s exit from the longest format.
Only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar have scored more Test runs for India. As captain, Kohli not only redefined aggression but also made history, racking up 20 centuries — more than any other Indian skipper.
In Sportstar’s cover story, former India coach Ravi Shastri paid tribute to Kohli’s impact. “Undoubtedly the most scrutinised batsman in world cricket, he was also the best prepared to fight in the middle,” Shastri wrote. “His making people watch Test cricket will be an enduring legacy.”
Known for his intensity, Kohli brought theatre to the field — celebrating wickets with unfiltered emotion and elevating his partners’ milestones with visible joy. His absence will leave a vacuum—not just of runs, but of presence.
While he remains available for ODIs, Shastri hinted that Kohli’s departure from the game may be total once he’s done playing. “He is not the kind who would like to coach or take on the role of a broadcaster.”
With Kohli stepping away, Indian cricket loses one of its fiercest competitors—one who, in Shastri’s words, “never conceded an inch.”
Read the full column here – Shastri on Kohli
