'The Mind Told Body It's Time': Ravi Shastri Reveals Conversation With Virat Kohli Before Test Retirement; Video
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has opened up about his private conversation with Virat Kohli just days before the star batter stunned the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket. Kohli officially brought the curtain down on his illustrious Test career earlier this week, only days after Rohit Sharma also announced his exit from the format.
Speaking on the ICC Review, Shastri revealed that while the decision caught him off guard, Kohli's clarity and conviction during their chat made it clear that he was ready to step away.
Shastri said, “I did speak to him about it, I think a week before the announcement. His mind was very clear that he'd given it everything. There were no regrets. I asked him a couple of questions personal ones and his answers told me he had no doubts. That’s when I thought, ‘Yes, the time is right.’ The mind told the body it's time to go.”
Shastri believes Kohli’s high energy persona and his unrelenting commitment to every facet of the game eventually took its toll. He said, “Virat is someone who gave 120% every single time. It was never just about scoring runs or leading the side. It was as if he had to take all the catches, make every decision, and take every wicket too,”
“That kind of intensity is rare but it’s also exhausting. I was surprised because I believed he had two to three more years of red-ball cricket in him. He’s still physically fitter than most of the squad. But sometimes, when you're mentally overcooked, it doesn’t matter how fit your body is — the mind just says, ‘That’s it.’”
Shastri-Kohli era
Kohli and Shastri shared a formidable partnership during their time together at the helm of Indian cricket. Under their leadership, India reached new heights in Test cricket, including a historic series win in Australia, dominant runs in the West Indies, and a breakthrough series victory in Sri Lanka after 22 years.
As Kohli moves on from the longest format, the legacy of the Shastri-Kohli era remains one of Indian cricket’s golden chapters
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