Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recently revealed that Virat Kohli reached out to him about a week before announcing his surprise retirement from Test cricket. During their conversation, Kohli expressed that he had given his all to the game and felt mentally exhausted, despite being physically fit. Shastri admitted he was initially surprised by the decision, believing Kohli still had a few years left to play, but the clarity and finality in Kohli’s words convinced him that the retirement was well thought out. “I did speak to him about it, I think a week before that [his announcement and his mind was very clear that he’d given us everything. There were no regrets. There was one or two questions I asked, and that’s a personal conversation which, you know, he mentioned very clearly. There were no doubts in his mind, which made me think, ‘Yes, the time is right.’ The mind has told his body that it’s time to go,” said Shastri in a chat with Sanjana Ganeshan on ICC Review.
Shastri emphasized that Kohli’s mental fatigue was the key factor behind his decision, explaining that even the fittest athletes can be “mentally fried and overcooked.” He praised Kohli’s immense passion and impact on Test cricket, affirming that the star batter retired without regrets, having nothing left to prove in the format. This candid insight from him also highlights that Kohli’s exit was driven by a deep sense of reflection and acceptance rather than physical decline.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)