"If You Start Getting Angry...": Australia Great's Unique Observation Of Virat Kohli's Test Retirement
Indian cricket team star batter Virat Kohli stunned the cricketing world with the decision of his Test retirement last month. He didn't have good outing in the five-match Test series in Australia that concluded in January this year. The following phase even saw Kohli returning to play Ranji Trophy after 13 years. All the signs along with Kohli's eternal love for Test cricket indicated that he will continue to play in the format. It was thus an extremely shocking decision by Kohli to leave the format.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor commented on Kohli's retirement. He believes that Kohli was different from his usual self when he visited Australia for the 2024-25 Test series that eventually turned out to be his last.
"Last year, I saw a different Virat Kohli (in Australia). An angry one. And I have never seen an angry Virat Kohli. I have seen a highly competitive Virat Kohli, and I love that about him. I always saw the gentleman. Last year I saw a different Virat Kohli and I said a month ago that it is time for him to retire. And he did. Because once you get angry, you've got to get out. And I think he realised that. If you start getting angry, you are gone," Taylor said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.
"Like a lot of cricket fans, I was disappointed with Virat last year. Because I had always greatly admired Virat and was his fan," Taylor added.
Kohli bid adieu to his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He wrapped up his Test career as the fourth-most successful Test captain overall with 40 wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins). He also has the most Test hundreds by an Indian captain, with Gavaskar (11 centuries) way behind his 20 tons.
Kohli remains a firm advocate for Test cricket as the Indian great recently expressed his opinion about youngsters playing the longest format after Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year-long drought to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Kohli abruptly announced his retirement during the 2025 IPL season and will not be a part of the side that faces England for five Test matches over the next two months. His last appearance in the format came against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Kohli believes there is nothing more important than playing Test cricket and said only after you perform in the longest format, will respect the world a player for his game.
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Shreyas Iyer 'can't be kept out of T20Is, Tests', 'officially' challenges Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma for India captaincy
The scoreboard might show Shreyas Iyer as the losing captain of IPL 2025, but within Indian cricket's power corridors, his stock has never been higher. On the eve of the final between RCB and Punjab Kings, one of Indian cricket's influential decision-makers offered a striking endorsement of Iyer's future. 'Right now he just plays ODIs, but after this IPL we can't keep him out of T20 internationals and even Tests. Plus he also has now officially joined the white-ball captaincy race,' the official told Indian Express, suggesting that Iyer's impact this season has sparked a serious rethink within the national setup. It's been a turnaround few saw coming. Not long ago, Shreyas found himself without a central contract, out of the Test and T20I squads, and, most shockingly, released by Kolkata Knight Riders after leading them to the IPL title in 2024. The doubts over his fitness, form, and temperament had pushed him to the fringes. However, Iyer continued to perform big in domestic circuit for Mumbai, and even led the side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Then came Punjab Kings, a franchise with perennial underachievement but rich in untapped potential. Iyer embraced the challenge, and what followed was a masterclass in leadership. He found not only form with the bat but also forged a deep emotional connection with teammates and fans, who began calling him 'Sarpanch Sahab,' a nod to his calm but commanding presence. The moment that sealed his status came during the Eliminator against the Mumbai Indians. With the chase wobbling and Jasprit Bumrah breathing fire, Iyer unfurled a counter-assault of stunning composure. He dismantled Bumrah, cleared the ropes with ease, and held firm as wickets tumbled at the other end. Iyer eventually finished unbeaten on 87 off 41 deliveries, ensuring PBKS chased down a huge 204-run target with an over to spare. Though Punjab eventually fell short in the final, Iyer's aura only grew. His cold stare at Shashank Singh after a critical run-out showed he could demand more from his players. Iyer may not have lifted the trophy this year, but he's certainly forced Indian cricket to sit up and reconsider.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Indian compound archers crash out at World Cup Stage 3
Antalya: Indian compound archers disappointed at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 as none of them managed to reach the medal rounds in the individual and mixed categories here on Friday. India, who finished second behind South Korea with two gold, one silver, and four bronze medals at the previous stage in Shanghai, are yet to open their medal account here. Madhura Dhamangaonkar, the fourth seed and winner of the last World Cup, was ousted in the quarterfinals by fifth-seeded Mariana Bernal of Mexico. Madhura lost 152-159 in the women's individual section. Mariana was consistent throughout, while Madhura struggled to find her rhythm after an opening round of 29 out of a possible 33. World champion Aditi Swami also exited in the last-eight stage, going down 147-152 to Mexico's second-seeded Andrea Becerra.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Satwik-Chirag bow out of Indonesia Open
Jakarta: India's top men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty bowed out of the Indonesia Open Super 1000 tournament after losing to Malaysia's Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun in the quarterfinals here on Friday. The former world No. 1 Indian duo, who won the title in 2023, went down 19-21, 16-21 in a 43-minute contest against the flat-hitting Malaysian pair, who notched up their first win over the Indians in five meetings. Satwik-Chirag's loss ended the Indian challenge in the competition. The Indians looked rusty as they struggled with their serve and return against Man and Wee, who won the Malaysia Masters last month and Indonesia Masters in January. The Indians also lacked the discipline in defence and anticipation and were often put in uncomfortable positions and rushed errors throughout the match by the Malaysians.
