It is real to think that Virat Kohli will no longer donate to Bagi Blue of India. End of an era in Indian Test cricket? Yes of course.
A person who has become synonymous with Ces’s Energy has decided that he will not play the longest format, which actually distinguishes wheat from Chaif, now. But why now? Why not after a tour of England or in a year time? Virat is certainly quite fit, and despite making several speculation about his red ball future, his sheer appearance on the field is a factor that the selectors should still have excessive rates. In addition, his trademark stability in the IPL is once again on full performance. He must be feeling good about his cricket.
So, why now?
A retirement was under discussion
Most reliable news reports have claimed that Virat was discussing retirement with the BCCI for at least a month, and was asked to reconsider the testing, which was coming to England’s very important 5-testing series. In other words, he was going to be a shoe-in for a place in the squad for that tour. Therefore, it is not that Rohit Sharma allegedly faced. Other reports claimed that Virat wanted the test captaincy, something that Michael Vaughan felt that Rohit had the best course of action after retiring from the format, but also that the Indian board, management and selectors did not agree really, now is one of the future in search of a future with full mindset in Indian cricket. Shubman Gill is already being tagged as a fronter to take over as New India Test Captain from Rohit (someone should leave an idea for Jasprit Bumrah here), and head coach Gautam Gambhir has a point or two points after India’s embarrassing test performance against Kiwi at home, and then in Australia.
If we believe that Virat wanted to become a Test captain again, was his way to say, ‘If you don’t give me what I want, I will not be?’ It does not really sound like a man. Is anyone who is playing under the captaincy of Silver Patidar in IPL is actually difficult for India to play under Shubman’s leadership? No, it looks like a completely personal call. It was taken after a lot of consideration. We already know that he spoke to many teammates – both past and present about their decision.
Being best, all is
The fact of this fact is that Virat is an athlete that is not satisfied until he is the best, in his full head, in every format, in every tournament. He does not just want to compete, he wants to be the best for his team, every once, every time, every once, the best. For him, his prime does not depend on his age or its form, it is a mindset. In the history of international cricket, it would be difficult to find a lot of cricketers who had so much self-confidence.
In February 2022, India vacated the West Indies 3–0 in an ODI series at home. It was also a series in which Virat scored 26 runs in three innings. The calls were echoing loudly to be demolished. After the third ODI, a reporter asked Rohit Sharma if he felt that Virat was feeling less confident. Rohit seemed a bit surprised, but could not hide his entertainment for a long time until he laughed and replied, “Virat Kohli Ko Confidence Ki Zarorat Hai? Kya baat kar rahe ho yaar“(Virat Kohli needs confidence? Are you serious?) Rohit’s response has become a part of cricketing folklore.
What was doubt?
But at the end of the day, Virat is also human. He may not show it outward, but there may be a doubt or two racing in his brain. Mix these two things and you may have the answer to the question why Virat now retired from the tests. The answer to this is only India’s next Test opponents – England – and, in particular, there may be conditions for Test cricket in the UK. Virat visited England in his Test career from 2014 to 2021-22, and his average was 33.65 in 15 tests played on those tourism. It is below its overall career test average of 46.85. The moving ball in England and James Anderson specially challenged him on his first tour in 2014, where he finished with 134 runs in 10 innings. But being Virat Virat, vowed to win the demons who hid in the state of seaming.
On his next tour, he emerged as the highest run-match, overall, with 593 runs at an average of 59.30. He broke two centuries and three half -centuries. But then, on his final England tour, in the 2021–22 Pataudi Trophy, his bat became silent as he managed to score just 249 runs in nine innings, with an average of 27.66, with some centuries.
Consider that the final Test series was played with Virat, which in Australia 2024-25 border Gavaskar Trophy – where he started with a magnificent centenary in Perth, was also a distant series, but then there is a possibility of bribing from another lower side with only 190 runs, perhaps with only 190 runs. Him.
For a person who has given a lot to Indian cricket, scored more than 30 Test centuries, 51 ODI tons and 27K, despite the handicapped expectations, something to do something that was probably not acceptable again. It will also scold the legacy, there is no doubt.
Right time?
In addition, the upcoming tour will mark the onset of a new WTC cycle for Team India. What is the better time to hand over the baton? Recall the song that he selected for his retirement post on Instagram? Frank Sinatra’s evergreen classic, ‘My Way’. In this way he played his cricket, and thus he chose to ride in the Test Sunset. If Virat was actually thinking, it is a very practical decision. Nobody knows when it is best to leave yourself or yourself. Along with his fitness level, he cut for the test series against South Africa in October and then in November – December against the West Indies – a rival against whom his highest test score is 254* (2019), which is also the highest test score by an Indian captain so far. But Virat had made his mind.
A lesson in selflessness
Let us also do not forget the selflessness of the man. The most successful Indian Test Captain (win 40 out of 68 as a skipper), he chose to hang his Test boots when he could play for at least one more year very easily, perhaps the 10K test runs could complete and even got a farewell test. But he chose against the last role of the dice. If you feel that fans always want to see only ‘King’ Kohli, then imagine how Virat, who gives the game every time to step into a cricket field, wants to see himself. Nothing less than excellence will make him happy. This is the mantra that he has done in everything – his training, his fitness, his game. He became a legend long ago. He had approved his authority over the game long ago. They may not have completed 10K Test runs, but the numbers do not define their heritage. As a batsman, a captain and a contestant, he had a sheer influence on the game that people would always remember. Like every other cricketer, that too, was his challenges, their offerings and their lean patches. But really, his achievements removed anyone from it. There was nothing left to prove.
Over the years, Virat has also sought a more personal life. He wants to give more time to his family, away from the constant media dazzling. Was inspired to go to London with his family. In this phase of his life and career, he can still be the terrible contestants who are not ready to give an inch on the field, but closed it, he wants peace. Now, with your test commitments and only to play with ODI and IPL, ‘King’ will get a lot of space where he can only be vast.
(The author is a former sports editor and primetime sports news anchor. He is currently a columnist, features writer and stage actor)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
