Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has confirmed that Virat Kohli reached out to him just a week before announcing his retirement from Test cricket. The two shared a deep coach-captain bond during India’s most successful era in red-ball cricket, and this final conversation hinted at what was coming.
‘There Were No Regrets’: Shastri on Kohli’s Mindset
Speaking on the ICC Review, Shastri revealed that Kohli’s decision didn’t entirely come as a shock after their talk. While Shastri initially believed Kohli had 2–3 more years left in Test cricket, he realised that mental fatigue, not form or fitness, played a decisive role.
“There were no regrets. One or two personal questions I asked told me he was ready. The mind had told his body it was time to go,” said Shastri.
Kohli, who announced his retirement on May 13 via an Instagram post, bowed out with 9,230 Test runs, 30 centuries, and as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format.
Burnout Was Inevitable, Says Shastri
Shastri praised Kohli’s relentless energy and involvement in every match but said that his all-in approach likely led to mental exhaustion.
“He gave 100% all the time. It felt like he had to take every wicket, every catch, and make every decision. That’s bound to lead to burnout,” Shastri explained.
He emphasized that while Kohli remains one of the fittest athletes, it was his mental wear and tear that ultimately triggered the decision to retire from the format he loved the most.
Kohli’s Legacy and the Shastri Era
The Kohli-Shastri era will go down as one of the most dominant in Indian Test cricket. Under their partnership, India achieved:
- No. 1 Test ranking for 42 months
- Historic series wins in Australia
- Back-to-back series wins in the West Indies
- A rare series win in Sri Lanka
Shastri credited Kohli for setting new standards in Indian cricket and leaving the game with nothing left to prove.
“He’s captained India, won a U-19 World Cup, and led the team to global dominance. There’s nothing left for him to achieve,” he concluded.
Kohli’s exit, though unexpected, marks the end of an era—and his legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of Indian cricketers.
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