Virat Kohli Feels His Success in Test Cricket Wouldn’t Have Happened Without Ravi Shastri

Virat Kohli also captained the team through an era marked by unprecedented dominance and success, from 2014 to 2022. He guided India to 40 wins in 68 Tests, enjoying a win rate even better than the likes of former captains, MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly. It also put Kohli in an elite list of Test captains with the most wins, only behind greats such as Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting , and Steve Waugh. 

Interestingly, Virat Kohli’s announcement came just five days after Rohit Sharma also called it quits from red-ball cricket, thereby ushering in a new era for the Indian Test side. Since his retirement, Kohli has largely avoided the public eye. However, the 36-year-old most recently attended an event in London organized by former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation.

At the event, attended by Ravi Shastri, one of Kohli’s biggest admirers and former India head coach, he discussed his profound relationship with Shastri and recalled the 63-year-old’s significant role in shaping his red-ball career.

Kohli remarked that had he not worked with Shastri during his tenure as captain, it would have been impossible for him to achieve what he did. He highlighted the clarity with which he and Shastri operated together, while also noting how rare such a level of understanding is to find:

Honestly, if I wasn’t working with him, what happened in Test cricket wouldn’t have been possible. The clarity which we had together is very hard to find.

Kohli further stated that Shastri contributed immensely to the growth in his career, recalling instances where the ex-India coach ‘took the bullets’ for him at press conferences. His deep respect for Shastri is evident in their remarkable success as captain and coach. Between 2017 to 2021, the duo led India to consecutive Test series victories in Australia, and even guided the team to the WTC final in 2021. He added:

Those press conferences where he took the bullets from the front line… Things would have been different and I always have respect and regard for him, for being a massive part of my cricketing journey.

Nonetheless, Virat Kohli, having retired from both Tests and T20Is now, has remained away from Team India action for a long time now. With the Bangladesh series called off, the 36-year-old is now expected to play for India next in their away series against Australia, in October this year.

Virat Kohli Joins Cricketing Legends Brian Lara, Joe Root in Star-Studded Wimbledon 2025 Audience

Former India captain Virat Kohli was among the cricketing greats present at the 2025 Wimbledon on Monday. They witnessed tennis great and former world no.1, Novak Djokovic defeat Alex De Minaur in a thrilling four-set match on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Virat Kohli was spotted in the Royal box with his wife and actress, Anushka Sharma. The 36-year-old later posted a picture from Djokovic’s match on social media, describing it as ‘business as usual’ for the ‘gladiator’ Serbian legend. Kohli was also joined by Rishabh Pant, the Indian Test vice-captain, who is currently in London with the team ahead of the third Test against England at Lord’s.

Englishmen Joe Root and James Anderson were the others who added charm to the Wimbledon. They were spotted laughing together in the stands, as they met the retired Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer . West Indies batting legend Brian Lara was also in attendance.