A Curtain Falls: Kohli's Quiet Goodbye to Test Cricket

Virat Kohli’s surprise exit from Test cricket stunned fans, but for Ravi Shastri, the signs were there. In a heartfelt tribute, Shastri reflects on Kohli’s unmatched passion, leadership, and the legacy he leaves behind

Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket came as a shock, even to those closest to him. But for former India head coach Ravi Shastri, a private conversation just days before the announcement offered quiet clarity: Kohli was done. “His mind had told his body it was time to go,” Shastri said in The ICC Review. “There were no doubts, no regrets. He’d given it everything.”

The news broke just weeks before India toured England. Kohli ended his Test journey with 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and the honor of being India's most successful Test captain, with 40 wins in 68 matches. Yet numbers only tell part of the story.

What set Kohli apart was his intense, all-in commitment. “Most players do their job and step back,” Shastri noted. “But with Virat, it felt like he had to take every wicket, grab every catch, make every decision.”

That kind of total involvement comes at a cost. “There’s bound to be a burnout,” Shastri admitted, adding that even the fittest body can't ignore a tired mind.

Kohli’s fierce presence reshaped India’s approach to the longest format. He brought a visible passion to the field, something that stirred both admiration and agitation. “He could get under your skin,” Shastri said. “That intensity spread fast—within dressing rooms and living rooms. He was infectious.” From iconic series wins in Australia and the West Indies to finally conquering Sri Lanka, the Shastri-Kohli era etched some of Indian cricket’s proudest moments.

Still, the decision surprised Shastri. “I thought he had two or three years left,” he said. “But he sees the bigger picture.” Kohli now turns his attention to ODIs and franchise cricket, where he believes he can still make a major impact.

There’s no lingering sense of unfinished business. “At times, when you quit, you think later, ‘I wish I’d done this or that.’ Not with Virat. He’s done everything. He’s captained sides, won World Cups, inspired a generation,” Shastri said.

Kohli leaves behind more than stats—a legacy of transformation, intensity, and excellence. His departure marks the end of an era, one that redefined Indian Test cricket not just in how it was played, but in how it was felt.