‘They Would Get Angry…’ Ravi Shastri Reveals Candid Chat With Virat Kohli Before His Shock Retirement
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed the conversation that he had with the former India captain Virat Kohli, who consulted Shastri before announcing his retirement from Test cricket on May 12 (Monday), which sent shockwaves through the entire cricketing world. Shastri revealed that he asked Kohli a couple of questions and the conversation made it clear that the star India batter had made up his mind and felt it was the right time to step away from the format he cherished the most.
Ravi Shastri revealed on the ICC Review that Virat Kohli spoke to him about his Test retirement a week before the announcement and was very clear in his decision, with no regrets. While Shastri was surprised, believing Kohli had a few more years left, he acknowledged that mental fatigue can override physical fitness, ultimately signaling to the body that it's time to stop.
“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 us everything. There were no regrets. Virat surprised me because I thought he had at least two-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, then it sends a message to the body. You know, that’s it,” Shastri said on the ICC Review.
'There Was A Love-Hate Relationship': Shastri On Kohli's On-Field Intensity
Shastri praised Kohli's global impact, saying he had a massive following and brought viewers to the game with his intense and infectious personality. He noted that Kohli's passionate celebrations and on-field behavior often evoked a love-hate response, making him a compelling figure both in dressing rooms and among fans worldwide.
“He’s got accolades around the globe. He has a bigger following than any other cricketer in the last decade. Whether it’s Australia, whether it’s South Africa, he just got people to watch the game. There was a love-hate relationship. They would get angry because he had the ability to get under the skin of the viewers. In the way he celebrated, you know his intensity was such that it was like a rash. It spread very quickly, not just within the dressing room, but within living rooms as well for people watching cricket. So, he was an infectious personality,” he added.
'He Gave His 100%,' Says Ravi Shastri For Virat Kohli
Shastri also highlighted Kohli's unmatched commitment, saying he gave 100% in everything he did and was deeply involved in all aspects of the game. However, Shastri also warned that such intense involvement could lead to burnout if not managed with proper rest and balance across formats.
“If he decided to do something, then he gave his 100%, which is not easy to match. Individually, as a bowler, as a batsman. A player does his job, [and] then you sit back. But [with Kohli] when the team goes out, it’s as if he has to take all the wickets, he has to take all the catches, he has to make all the decisions on the field,” Shastri said.
“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 compartmentalise how much he wants to play across formats, there is bound to be a burnout,” he added.
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