Former India head coach Ravi Shastri shared a deeply emotional reaction to Virat Kohli’s unexpected retirement from Test cricket, expressing his disappointment over how the announcement was handled. Speaking during a pre-series segment on Sony Sports ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England, Shastri struggled to contain his emotions, calling the moment bittersweet and avoidable.
Kohli, who brought his illustrious red-ball career to an end in May 2025, has long been considered the heartbeat of Indian Test cricket. Shastri, who coached Kohli during some of the team’s most defining Test victories, especially abroad, was one of his strongest supporters. He admitted that while Kohli had informed him about the decision as early as April, the abrupt nature of the retirement and the lack of a proper send-off felt unjustified for a player of his stature.
“It’s hard to describe what Kohli brought to Test cricket, especially for India overseas. His aggression his leadership his passion — it all elevated the format. Players like him don’t come around often,” said Shastri, who played a key role in shaping the Kohli-led era.
Shastri suggested that Kohli’s exit could have been managed with more transparency and involvement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “I genuinely feel sad about how things played out. There was room for better communication. A farewell like his should’ve been grand not quiet,” he added.
The former coach also criticized the selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, for missing an opportunity to reappoint Kohli as Test captain after India’s disappointing tours of New Zealand and Australia. According to Shastri, Kohli’s leadership could’ve reignited the spark in the squad. “If it were up to me I would’ve handed him the captaincy again after Australia,” he said.
Kohli had stepped down from Test leadership in 2022 after the South Africa tour, with Rohit Sharma taking over as the all-format skipper. Recently, following Rohit’s retirement from Tests, Shubman Gill was named the new Test captain. Interestingly, Shastri’s comments have sparked speculation that Kohli may have been interested in returning to the leadership role, but was not considered by the board.
Kohli’s sudden departure now leaves a legacy filled with pride but a finale that feels unfinished. As fans and former teammates continue to pay tribute, one thing is certain — Indian Test cricket will not be the same without him.
