Shastri Says Kohli Deserved Better Farewell, Would’ve Reinstated Him as Test Captain

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed disappointment over the manner in which Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket was handled, saying the star batter deserved a more respectful and fitting farewell.

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, ending a distinguished red-ball career that spanned 123 matches, during which he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.

Speaking in a video shared by SonyLiv on social media, Shastri said, “When you go, that’s when people realise how big a player he was. I feel sad that he is gone, the way he is gone. I think it could have been handled better, there should have been more communication.”

Shastri also stated that, had he been in charge, he would have reinstated Kohli as captain after India’s recent Test series win against Australia. “I would’ve made him captain straightaway after Australia,” he said, indicating that Kohli still had much to contribute in a leadership role.

Kohli, one of India’s most successful Test captains, stepped down from the role in 2022 but remained a key player in the squad until his retirement. Shastri’s remarks have reignited the debate over the management of senior players and how cricketing legends are bid farewell.