Ravi Shastri Reflects on Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement: "Mentally Overcooked, But a Legend Forever":

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a recent The ICC Review interview, former India coach Ravi Shastri spoke about the unexpected announcement made by Virat Kohli regarding his retirement from Test cricket. Shastri stated that it was not a decision made on a whim and mentioned that Kohli had thought deeply about it. “I spoke to him a week before the announcement, and he was clear—he’d given everything,” Shastri recalled.

No Regrets, Just Clarity

Shastri, who had a good working relationship throughout his career with Kohli, recollected that Kohli did not seem to have any doubts or regrets. He said, “Kohli's mental exhaustion is what led to his clock saying it was time to go.” in focus instead illustrating how although Kohli was fit, the mental battle was what made him retire.

Kohli’s Declining Form and the Pressure of Expectations

Kohli’s performance during the 2022 years was subpar than in the past. In the last 65 innings he played, he averaged a dismal 32.09, which is far from his usual standard. Nonetheless, he remains India’s most successful Test captain, a record that includes 40 victories in 68 Tests.

Shastri noted that Kohli's captaincy and playing style combined with his aggressive attitude increased the burden on him. “It’s as if he had to take all the wickets, all the catches, and make all the decisions,” Shastri said, emphasizing the crippling weight that was thrust on to Kohli.

Mental Burnout Took Its Toll

Shastri had hoped Kohli would last in red-ball cricket for “two to three years,” but eventually learned that it was mental burnout—rather than being physically capable—that was the issue. “Even if you’re the fittest, when you're mentally done, your body gets the message,” he said.

Kohli's Role in Elevating Test Cricket

As sudden as it was, Shastri did not hold back in lauding Kohli’s astonishing impact—some would say, ‘sacrificing’—on Test cricket. “To him, it was the ultimate. He brought showmanship and grit,” Shastri said. With aggressive attitude, Kohli did not just participate in Test matches, his fantastic exuberance and fierce celebrations made matches come alive at a time when T20 cricket was taking over.

An Infectious, Global Superstar

Kohli had earned both love and envy from Australia to South Africa which is a testament to how much people were impacted by him. “He definitely annoyed you. His energy spread from the dressing room to the living room,” Shastri declared, citing him as an “infectious personality.”