'Sad' By Kohli's Retirement, Shastri Makes Bold Captaincy Claim: 'I Would Have...'
Last Updated:
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12. During his 14-year-long career, he made 9230 runs in 123 Tests.
Former Indian men's cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri is sad about Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket. The former India captain, after playing 123 Tests in the last 14 years, announced his retirement from the five-day format of the game on May 12.
He took to Instagram to share a post via which he confirmed the news of his exit from the traditional format of the game.
Shastri, who shares a close bond with Kohli, said he feels sad that Kohli is gone and also about the manner of his departure. According to the former India all-rounder, Kohli's retirement could have been handled better, and in a video shared by Sony Liv on X, he said that if it was in his hands, he would have handed the Test captaincy to him.
'It's when you go; that's when people will realise how big a player he was. I feel sad that he's gone, the way he's gone. I think it could have been handled better, or there should have been more communication. If I had anything to do with it, I would have made him captain straight away after Australia."
During his 14-year-long Test career, Kohli played 123 Tests for India and, with the help of 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, amassed a total of 9230 runs. He finished his career as the fourth leading run getter for India.
Kohli captained India in 68 Tests and won 40 matches, which is the most by any skipper.
It was reported last month that Kohli was keen to become India's Test captain again, but his request was not considered by the top management, following which he decided to retire.
Kohli's retirement came five days after Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket. Like Kohli, Rohit also announced his retirement from Tests via an Instagram post.
After Rohit and Kohli's retirement, Shubman Gill was appointed as India's new Test captain on May 24. The 25-year-old right-handed batter from Punjab will make his Test captaincy debut against England at Headingley in Leeds on June 20. India will face England in a five-match Test series under Gill's leadership. After the series opener in Leeds, the next four matches will be played in Birmingham, Lord's, Manchester, and The Oval.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
WTC Final: Aussie skipper Pat Cummins hits 300 Test wickets in style; surpasses Indian legend with historic haul at Lord's
One thing about Pat Cummins is that he knows how to walk the talk. The Australian Test captain led by example as he put his side on the path to another ICC tournament triumph. On Day 2 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it was Cummins who turned the game decisively in Australia's favour. The fast bowler finished with remarkable figures of 6 for 28 in South Africa's first innings — a spell that not only swung the match but also saw him reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets and surpass an Indian legend on an elite list. 300 Test wickets ✅Six-for in the #WTC25 Final ✅Australia captain Pat Cummins continues to set the standard 🌟 Pat Cummins makes history at Lord's It was a landmark performance as Pat Cummins etched his name into the history books, becoming only the fourth captain to claim a five-wicket haul in an innings at the iconic venue. He went one step further by taking the final wicket, becoming the first-ever captain to take six wickets in a single innings at the venue. His heroics also saw him become the first captain to take a five-wicket haul in an ICC final, further cementing his reputation as a leader who delivers in big moments. With this spell, he extended his record for the most five-wicket hauls by a Test captain. This marked Cummins's 14th five-for in Test cricket — a milestone that firmly places him among the game's elite. He surpassed Indian great Bishan Singh Bedi and drew level with Richie Benaud with nine five-fors as captain, the second-highest tally in Test history behind Pakistan's Imran Khan, who leads the list with 12. Australia skipper Pat Cummins climbed up an exclusive list of leaders in Test cricket 👏#SAvAUS #WTC25 ✍️: For the first time in Test cricket history, a bowling attack featured three players with 300 or more wickets. Pat Cummins joined Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in reaching the milestone, forming a historic trio in Australia's current lineup. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood isn't far behind, sitting on 280 wickets. Early breakthroughs against South Africa The Australian skipper breached Wiaan Mulder's defence on Day 1 with a sharp delivery. He returned the next morning to remove his opposite number, Temba Bavuma, who was brilliantly taken at cover by a diving Marnus Labuschagne. But it was after lunch that Cummins truly came into his own. Just as South Africa looked to be building some momentum, he stepped up to tear through the middle order. He dismissed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the same over, then returned to remove the well-set David Bedingham and complete his five-wicket haul. Ahead of Day 3 Day 2 at Lord's mirrored the drama of the opening day, with another 14 wickets falling in quick succession. After being dismissed for just 138, South Africa came out with renewed aggression despite a wicketless start. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne weathered the early storm, putting on 28 runs in 10.1 overs. But Kagiso Rabada broke the partnership and then dismissed Cameron Green in the same over, sparking an Australian collapse. Lungi Ngidi, who had struggled in the first innings, made a strong comeback by removing Steve Smith, then followed up with the wickets of Beau Webster and Pat Cummins. From a steady 28/0, Australia slumped to 73/7 as South Africa seized control. However, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc mounted a crucial resistance, stitching together a 61-run stand that took Australia's lead beyond 200. By stumps, Australia were 144 for 8 — still ahead, but with South Africa breathing down their necks.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
WTC Final 2025: Australia leads South Africa by 218 runs after wickets tumble again on Day 2
A low-scoring World Test Championship (WTC) final was heading to a thrilling conclusion after Australia took a 74-run first-innings lead before being reduced to 144 for eight by South Africa by the close of Day 2 at Lord's on Thursday. It was a landmark day for Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took six for 28 to get to 300 wickets in his Test career and dismiss the Proteas for 138 following a whirlwind hour after lunch when the Baggy Greens claimed South Africa's last five batters for 12 runs in 5.5 overs. A Test dominated by pace bowling continued in that vein in Australia's second innings, with Kagiso Rabada — who took five for 51 to help restrict the Australians to 212 all out on Day 1 — again removing Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in one over before Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, including dangerman Steve Smith (13), in an inspired spell. Tottering at 73 for seven, Australia managed to rebuild in the final hour through an eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out). Rabada (3-44) trapped Carey lbw in another twist in the next-to-last over at the home of cricket as 14 wickets tumbled for the second straight day. Australia led by 218 going into the third and potentially final day of the third edition of Test cricket's big new showpiece in its bid to retain the mace. South Africa is seeking its first ICC trophy in any format this century.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Asia Cup in limbo as PCB explores alternatives with Afghanistan amid BCCI silence
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly begun exploring alternatives amid the rising non-clarity surrounding the 2025 Asia Cup. The continental tournament has been in limbo since the deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, where innocent tourists lost their lives, which was followed by a military showdown between India and Pakistan. India are the hosts for the 2025 Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be played in September. It was pre-decided that Pakistan would not travel to India with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) having agreed to the hybrid model, which was accepted ahead of the Champions Trophy earlier this year after the Rohit Sharma-led team was not allowed to travel to Pakistan for the ICC tournament. However, with BCCI remaining silent over the Asia Cup, PCB has initiated talks with the Afghanistan board to schedule a tri-series tournament involving hosts UAE, according to a report in the PTI. This is likely to be finalised only if the Asia Cup is cancelled. 'With the Asia Cup now unlikely to be held in India as originally planned in September due to the simmering relations between Pakistan and India, the PCB is working on another tri-series proposal,' a well-informed source in PCB told the news agency. 'The idea is that if the Asia Cup is moved to the UAE then Pakistan will play a tri-series with Afghanistan and the UAE in Dubai in August replacing the Afghanistan tour to Pakistan,' he explained. The report further stated that PCB has already started conversing with the two boards. 'If the Asia Cup is cancelled or postponed, the PCB wants the Afghanistan and UAE teams to play the tri-series in Pakistan in August,' the source disclosed. Meanwhile, sources confirmed to the PTI that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also the ACC president, will meet soon to decide on the Asia Cup. 'The Indian cricket board is yet to confirm its willingness to host the Asia Cup at home. So, it remains to be seen when the ACC council meets and makes a call on the future of the Asia Cup which is to be held in the T20 format,' he added.
