By Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement: Inside His Final Conversation with Ravi Shastri
Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing world with his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. While fans were left stunned, those close to him—like former India head coach Ravi Shastri—had seen the signs. A candid conversation between the two legends has now revealed the real reasons behind Kohli’s decision, marking the end of one of Indian cricket’s most iconic Test careers.
A Legacy Built on Passion and Performance
Virat Kohli didn’t just play Test cricket—he transformed it for India. Under his captaincy, India rose to No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings and redefined their approach with aggression, fitness, and unmatched consistency. In 123 matches, Kohli scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, with a batting average of 46.85. As captain, he led India to 40 wins in 68 matches—the most by any Indian skipper.
From winning a historic Test series in Australia in 2018–19 to challenging England and South Africa in their own backyards, Kohli’s leadership gave Indian fans hope every time the red ball was in play.
The Call That Changed Everything
About a week before Kohli announced his retirement, he made a quiet but telling call to Ravi Shastri. The two have shared a close player-coach relationship over the years, and Kohli trusted Shastri enough to speak openly.
Shastri recently revealed that during this conversation, he asked Kohli a few simple but deep questions: “Do you still feel the fire? Are you enjoying the grind? Is your mind fully there?” Kohli’s answers didn’t leave much room for doubt. According to Shastri, the 35-year-old batting legend seemed mentally ready to let go.
“He had clarity,” Shastri said in an interview. “When a player speaks like that, you know he has already made up his mind.” Kohli’s self-awareness and calm confidence about the decision surprised even Shastri, who admitted it made him reflect deeply.
“Mentally Fried” – The Real Reason
While fans wondered if injuries or a dip in form had pushed Kohli to this decision, the actual reason was mental burnout. Kohli, known for his discipline and fitness, wasn’t physically struggling. But years of unrelenting pressure, spotlight, and expectations had worn him down.
Shastri described it aptly: “He was mentally fried. When the mind says ‘enough,’ the body listens.” Kohli had been the face of Indian cricket for over a decade, carrying the weight of the nation’s hopes match after match, series after series.
Even legends like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni went through similar moments where they knew it was time to walk away. For Kohli, this moment had arrived in 2025.
Post-Retirement: A Personal Journey
After announcing his retirement, Kohli and his family made a trip to Vrindavan—a spiritual retreat far removed from the buzzing cricket stadiums. It was symbolic. He was now seeking peace and perspective rather than applause and pressure.
Accompanied by Anushka Sharma and their children, Kohli’s spiritual visit hinted at a phase where personal growth would take center stage. For a man who had lived in the headlines for 15 years, the move signaled a clear break from the past.
Indian Cricket Without Kohli
With Kohli’s departure, the Indian Test team finds itself at a crossroads. While the talent pool is vast, finding a leader with Kohli’s passion, grit, and cricketing brain won’t be easy. Names like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have surfaced in captaincy debates, but replacing Kohli’s impact is a tall order.
Veterans like R Ashwin have backed Bumrah, praising his temperament and leadership skills, while others believe grooming someone like Shubman Gill for the long term could be strategic.
Final Thoughts
Virat Kohli’s Test retirement isn’t just the end of a stellar career—it’s the closing of an era that brought Test cricket back into India’s mainstream. His honesty, intensity, and relentless pursuit of excellence made fans fall in love with red-ball cricket again.
As Ravi Shastri said, “When you’ve done enough, you’ll know.” And Kohli did.
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