Among all the crucial choices that Virat Kohli has taken in the last four years, quitting as the Test captain of India in early 2022 was one of the biggest surprises, as well as the hardest to swallow by the Indian cricket enthusiasts. Although his recent retirement in Test cricket last month evoked mixed emotions, it was expected, particularly following his extended dry spell with the bat, as well as poor showings by India in the recent Test series against New Zealand and Australia. However, what really shocked everybody was his abrupt stepping down as Test captain after India lost the series 1-2 in South Africa (a position where he had guided with unparalleled zeal and achievement).
His leadership in red-ball cricket was admired by many, and most felt that Kohli had unfinished business. There had been talk that following India’s dismal performance in Australia earlier this year, Kohli had said he wanted to come back as a stop-gap Test captain. Now, the former India head coach Ravi Shastri has practically ended up confirming those reports by claiming that had the decision been his, he would have made Kohli the captain once again, without a second thought.
“I would have made him the captain, immediately after Australia, if I had anything to do about it,” said Shastri in a video posted by SonyLiv.
Sources revealed that the interest shown by Kohli was actually communicated to the selectors, but the panel led by Ajit Agarkar decided to have a long-term vision and appointed Shubman Gill as the Test captain.
Last month, Kohli formally announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing to an end a glittering career in which he played 123 matches, scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 30 centuries. Shastri made a tribute to Kohli, not only due to the numbers that he has been scoring, but also his attitude, leadership, and his unparalleled performances as an ambassador of Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions.
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