Ravi Shastri leaks Virat Kohli's personal talk; Gautam Gambhir's massacre embedded
Published - 16 May 2025, 10:59 AM | Updated - 16 May 2025, 11:04 AM
Table of Contents
The cricketing world was left shocked on May 12 when Virat Kohli dropped the bombshell. Just weeks before India’s highly anticipated five-match Test series against England, Virat Kohli drew curtains on his glittering Test career that spanned nearly two decades.
During his journey with the Whites, the dashing right-handed batter scored 9230 runs, making him the fourth-highest run-scorer in Indian Test history with 30 iconic centuries to his name. Well, it was a shocker for most, but behind the scenes, this wasn’t a sudden call.
There were no regrets: Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli's Test retirement
In a sensational revelation, it has now emerged that former India head coach Ravi Shastri was already aware of what was brewing in Kohli’s mind. Long before the world got to know of Kohli’s retirement, Shastri got the news from the former Indian captain himself on a phone call.
Read Also: Revealed: Why Moeen Ali, Rovman Powell ditched KKR and refused to return for IPL 2025?
Virat and Shastri forged a strong bond both on and off the field during their time together as captain and coach, and their partnership has seen one of Indian cricket’s most dominant Test eras. Well, the commentator said that Kohli’s move was calculated and personal.
Ravi Shastri said on The ICC Review, “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 his everything. There were no regrets. There were 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.”
Ravi Shastri reveals why Virat Kohli walked away
Kohli is known for his intense, fiery, and heart-on-sleeve approach to the game, but Ravi Shastri believes that level of intensity comes with a price. According to the former India coach, Kohli gave his 100% if he decided to do something, and that is not easy at all match after match.
The former Indian captain and all-rounder further noted that Virat poured himself into every aspect of the game, acting as if every wicket, catch, and call on the field was his responsibility.
Shastri explained, “That much involvement, I would think there’s going to be a burnout somewhere if he doesn’t take a rest, if he doesn’t compartmentalize how much he wants to play across formats, there is bound to be a burnout.”
Virat Kohli surprised Ravi Shastri
However, Shastri admitted that he was stunned by Kohli’s sudden Test retirement. He had expected the star batter to continue for a few more years. But the commentator believes that when the mind feels overworked and drained, even the fittest body starts to give up.
Shastri signed off by saying, “Virat surprised me because I thought he had at least two or three years of Test match cricket left in him. But then, when you’re mentally fried and overcooked, that’s what tells your body."
"You might be physically the fittest guy in the business. You might be fitter than half the guys in your team, but mentally you’re well done, as they say, and then it sends a message to the body. You know, that’s it.”
About the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more
