Virat Kohli’s Test retirement – formalised on Monday by the veteran cricketer himself following three days of reported speculation – may have come as a surprise to ardent Test cricket fans.
For Kohli, who has inspired a generation of aspiring Test cricketers in a country that is increasingly being driven crazy by wannabe IPL stars, to hang up his whites ahead of a decisive away Test series was odd, to say the least.
The timing may have raised more than a few eyebrows, but various members of the Indian cricket set-up – players, members of the team management and administrators – confirmed that there was very little to any conspiracy theory.
“Once he had made up his mind to let the younger lot take over ahead of the new World Test Championship cycle, everyone else was kind of helpless. There were a few attempts made to check if he was willing to reconsider his decision, but to no avail,” a highly-placed source said, on condition of anonymity.
Sportstar understands that Kohli personally informed a member of the team management about his decision to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect last month. It led to a bit of discussion among the Indian team management.
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Certain members of the team management felt that Kohli’s experience and his unwavering energy on the field will be required in England, especially with Rohit Sharma also set to call time on his Test career. However, Kohli politely responded that he had “made up his mind”.
“This decision – both by Rohit and Virat – underlines the shift in Indian cricket, introduced by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, of always placing the team ahead of personal records or milestones. The moment both of them sensed that the team needed time to settle down, they decided to make way at the start of a new WTC cycle.”
Over the last week, though, Kohli is understood to have touched base with some of his seniors and teammates – past and present – to inform them of his decision.
Kohli’s decision stresses the fact that retirement, just like resignation, is voluntary. While no one can force a sportsperson to retire, there are times when one can be persuaded to prolong it. With Kohli, though, there was no looking back once he had crossed the rope in his mind!
