One of the best Indian batsmen, Virat Kohli announced his sudden retirement from Test cricket on Monday, May 12th. A 14-year notable Test career ended without a breakup test match. Former Indian player Ravi Shastri was shocked after Kohli announced his retirement.
Shastri was India’s head coach from 2017 to 2022, and the duo of Shastri and Virat Kohli witnessed many memorable overseas test series victory. Shastri is the first Indian coach and Kohli is the first Indian test skipper to win a Test series against Australia.
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Ravi Shastri – Virat Kohli Test Record
The former cricketer and commentator received a surprise call from the BCCI in 2017 to take over the responsibilities of the Indian cricket team. Shastri and Kohli’s exciting partnerships on the field and from the field have brought a massive amount of Indian Test cricket.
Virat Kohli and Shastri played 40 Test matches together, winning 23 of them, and four games were drawn. The Indian team has reached number one position in Test cricket. Kohli-Shastri The duo also took India to their first world finals in 2021.
The duo’s best moment came in 2021, when India won the border and Gavaskar trophy in Australia for the first time in history.
“I can’t believe you’re done. You’re a modern giant and you were a great ambassador for Test Match Cricket in every way you played and captained. I’m grateful for the lasting memories you gave to everyone.
I can’t believe you’re done. You were a modern giant and in every way you played and captained, you were a great ambassador for Test Match Cricket. Thank you for the lasting memories you have given to everyone and especially me. That’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life. go… pic.twitter.com/1te6lfgdmx
-Ravi Shastri (@ravishastriofc) May 12, 2025
Kohli lost Shine after Shastri’s departure
Fans were pointing to Kohli’s test form as he never looked the same in a white jersey after Shastri’s tenure as head coach in 2022.
During Shastri’s tenure, Kohli made a double century of four people in Test cricket. He has never lost a Test series in India.
Who will replace Virat Kohli in the test?
The Indian team does not have the same quality after Kohli is sent out from Test cricket. However, the management team has top players like KL Rahul. KLRahul will be the first choice player to replace Kohli at No. 4. He could hit the fourth in the Indian team in Test cricket.
The Rajat Patidar door was also opened as Kohli showed his class in first class cricket after he left. His domestic cricket record would put him ahead of the others for the fourth batter.
Left-handed batter Sai Sudarshan has not yet made his Test debut, and his consistent performance in all forms of the game has surprised everyone. Kohli’s departure opens Sudarshan’s gates with Indian test teams, and the selector may groom him as the next number four batter to solidify the Indian test batting unit.
