 "Ravi Shastri wanted Virat Kohli to continue playing Test cricket for India. Image: Reuters")
Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri feels the Test captaincy could have been handed back to Virat Kohli, who retired from the longer format on 12 May . India needed a new captain after Rohit Sharma retired from Tests a few days before Kohli.
The fans and experts called for Kohli to be made the new captain after Rohit hung up his boots, but the 36-year-old soon retired from the format as well, stunning the cricketing world.
‘Mental fatigue drove Kohli away from Tests’
While discussing Kohli’s surprising decision in his column for Sportstar, Shastri wrote that making Kohli the Test captain would have been the best decision, but probably mental fatigue drove him away from the format.
“I am sure Virat still had two years of Test cricket left in him. I would have loved to see him in England this summer. It would have been a good idea to hand him the captaincy for the tour, but he would know best why he decided to leave. Maybe mental fatigue drove him to decide because he was as fit as any other player on the team,” Shastri wrote.
“He knew his body best, but the mind would have played the decisive role. I will not rule out burnout as the decisive factor in curtailing his career at a critical phase of Indian cricket,” he added.
Reflecting on Kohli’s highlight successful cricket career, Shastri said that India’s most successful Test captain is the “most influential cricketer of the last decade”.
“For me, Virat will remain the most influential cricketer of the last decade. He had fans worldwide, especially those who turned up at Test matches to watch him bat like no one else. A batsman who could hit a boundary at will and someone who would pick the best bowler in the opposition camp to send a strong message,” Shastri said.
Impact Shorts
View All“Undoubtedly the most scrutinised batsman in world cricket, he was also the best prepared to fight in the middle. His making people watch Test cricket will be an enduring legacy. The team will forever miss his wild celebrations at the fall of a wicket and the joy he expressed at a partner’s batting feat.”
‘Kohli will walk away from cricket after retirement’
Kohli will continue to represent India in ODIs, but Shastri feels that once he is retired from playing, the former India captain will just “walk away” and not remain associated with the sport in roles like that of a coach or broadcaster.
“He is still around to serve Indian cricket in ODIs, but I also know that Virat will walk away from the game once he is done playing cricket. He is not the kind who would like to coach or take on the role of a broadcaster. I will miss him when India plays its first Test in England. He was a champion, and that is what I would like to remember - never conceding an inch,” Shastri said.