'Can't Believe You Are Done...': Ravi Shastri Leaves Heartfelt Message For Virat Kohli
Last Updated:
Ravi Shastri expressed astonishment at Virat Kohli's retirement from Tests, praising his legacy and their successful partnership.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who had a brilliant coach-captain partnership with ace batter Virat Kohli, has expressed his astonishment at the latter retiring from Tests, besides thanking him for the amazing memories that he gave to everyone and to him individually as well.
The 36-year-old Kohli, who admitted that it was not an easy call to make, turned up in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9230 runs with 30 centuries and 31 fifties at an average of 46.85.
Kohli will now only be seen in ODIs, having already retired from T20Is in 2024 after having a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory over South Africa.
'Can't believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained," Shastri tweeted on Monday afternoon.
Can't believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained. Thank you for the lasting memories you've given to everyone, and to me in particular. It's something I will cherish for life. Go… pic.twitter.com/1te6LFGdMx — Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 12, 2025
Shastri and Kohli's partnership took Indian Test cricket to massive heights. During the MCG Test in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the former had said that Kohli will play for another three to four years, but the star batter drew an early close to his career in the whites.
Out of the 39 Tests which India played with Kohli as skipper and Shastri as coach, they won as many as 22 for a win percentage of 56.41. The side lost 13 Tests and drew four in this era.
A closer look at how the side did in home and away Tests in this period shows that the home win percentage was almost 79% while the away win percentage was 44%.
Since making his debut in 2011 as the nation's Test cap number 269, Kohli led India to the world number one position in the format and fetched a historic series win in Australia in 2018-19.
Overall, India played 14 Tests at home during this period, winning 11, losing one and drawing two.
First Published:
May 12, 2025, 15:24 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Jemimah Rodrigues retained by Brisbane Heat in WBBL draft
India batter Jemimah Rodrigues has been retained by Brisbane Heat, with eight franchises picking up a total of 23 international players during the Women's Big Bash League draft in Melbourne on Thursday (June 19, 2025). Cricket Australia informed in a release that middle-order batter Rodrigues, a "fan favourite" in Brisbane, was retained by the Brisbane Heat franchise along with West Indies' Chinelle Henry and South Africa's Nadine de Klerk. A total of 15 Indian women players had registered themselves for the WBBL draft ahead of its 10th season. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, former South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail and former England captain Heather Knight were picked up by Sydney Thunder. England duo of Sophia Dunkley and Mady Villiers, along with New Zealand star Amelia Kerr, were roped in by Sydney Sixers, while Adelaide Strikers picked up English spinner Sophie Ecclestone and wicketkeeper-batter Tammy Beaumont, along with South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt. Two more England players in wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones and Dani Gibson, were picked up by Melbourne Stars, who also showed interest in India's Rodrigues. The franchise also roped in South Africa's Marizanne Kapp. New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine, England's Paige Scholfield and South African Chloe Tryon went to Perth Scorchers. England captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt and Linsey Smith went to the Hobart Hurricanes, while Melbourne Renegades drafted in West Indies' Deandra Dottin and England's Alice Capsey.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
DCCI chairman Rajesh Bhardwaj to cheer for Indian mixed disabled cricket team at England's historic Lord's ground
Jaipur: Rajesh Bhardwaj, chairman (Corporate Affairs & Communication) of DCCI (PD & Wheelchair) and chairman of Wheelchair Cricket India Association (WCIA), announced that the Indian mixed Physically Disabled (PD) Cricket team is currently on a tour of England to play a 7-match PAN India Bilateral T20I Series from June 15 to July 5. As part of this tour, Rajesh Bhardwaj will also travel to England on June 25 to attend the high-profile match between India and England at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground—revered as the Mecca of Cricket. Bhardwaj stated that his visit aims to motivate and encourage the Indian PD players, and he is confident that the team will return victorious, bringing pride to the nation. He also extended heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported and sponsored the tournament, including Sminu Jindal (Founder & Chairperson, NGO), Manoj Gaur (JP Power Ventures), Deepak Jain (IOCL), Sanjay Gupta (APL Apollo), Kunal Bhalla (CRC Group), and Devendra Gupta (Aqualite Shoes). He expressed special thanks to ICC Chairman Jay Shah, under whose visionary leadership, the Indian PD cricket team is getting the opportunity to play at Lord's for the first time and showcase their talent on such a historic platform. He also acknowledged the efforts of DCCI General Secretary Ravi Chauhan and Squadron Leader (Retd.) Abhay Pratap Singh, Joint Secretary of DCCI and President of WCIA, for bringing together disabled players from across India and providing them with a platform to demonstrate their abilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Bhardwaj also highlighted several successful events conducted since assuming office as DCCI (PD & Wheelchair) Chairman (Corporate Affairs & Communication) in January 2024. Notably, a three-match series between India and England was held in Ahmedabad from January 26 to February 6, 2024, where India emerged victorious with a 3–0 clean sweep. More recently, Sri Lanka's Wheelchair Cricket Team toured India from June 11 to 16, 2024, for a 5-match T20 series in Greater Noida, in which India won 5–0. Additionally, the 4th National Physically Disabled Cricket Tournament was organized in Udaipur from October 15 to 25, featuring 24 teams from 24 states and over 360 specially-abled cricketers showcasing their skills. The Indian PD team also participated in the Four-Nation PD Champions Trophy held in Sri Lanka, which featured teams from India, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. India clinched the title on January 21 by defeating England in the final match by a margin of 79 runs.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Modi, Gadkari & CM Laud Nagpur Chess Queen Divya For Historic Win Over World Women's No.1
1 2 Nagpur: Two days after the TOI exclusively highlighted Divya Deshmukh's heroics in the World Blitz and Rapid Team Championships, where Nagpur's golden girl stunned the world's best women chess player, China's Hou Yifan, in London, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the 19-year-old's historic victory. While minister of state for sports Raksha Khadse, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari took inputs from the TOI report to congratulate Divya first on Wednesday, Modi and others lauded India's chess sensation's efforts on Thursday. On Monday, Nagpur's world junior no.1 and International Master (IM) Divya registered a hard-fought 74-move win over world women's No.1 Yifan in the second leg of the semifinal round in the blitz team chess championship. Overall, Divya brought home a total of three medals representing Hexamind Chess Club in both the blitz and rapid events. In an exclusive story on Tuesday, the TOI reported the face-off between the best women chess player and her junior counterpart — China's Yifan vs India's Divya. The face-off between Yifan and Divya in the shortest format of chess had similarities to the classical game played between Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh, where the recent 'Oh My God' moment happened when the world No.1 suffered his first defeat to the youngest world champion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เริ่มแล้ว! ตลาด USDJPY อยู่ในช่วงขาขึ้นกว่าเดิม IC Markets สมัคร Undo When Divya recorded her first win over Yifan, the Nagpur girl got a bit emotional but controlled her emotions and went to prepare for the bronze medal match. Congratulating Divya on X, Modi said, "Divya's success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours." Modi's congratulatory message on Thursday made the media line up for a bite from Divya at her Shankar Nagar residence. Replying to Modi's message, Divya said, "PM Modi sir has written very nice things which are very encouraging and motivating, so it makes me feel very good and gives me a lot of inspiration to win medals for India in the future." Fadnavis wrote, "What an extraordinary moment as Divya defeats world No.1 Hou Yifan in London. Her fearless moves, sharp focus, and unshakable determination have not only secured a historic victory but also made every Indian — and every Maharashtrian — proud. This isn't just a win on the board, it's a statement to the world that young talent from India is ready to conquer global arenas. Wishing Divya many more glorious victories ahead. Indian chess has found a new queen, and she hails from Nagpur!" Following Modi's congratulatory message, the country's who's who have started lauding Divya.
