Virat Kohli recently spoke publicly about his Test retirement, a topic that saddened many Indian fans. He did so at a charity event for Yuvraj Singh’s YouWeCan foundation.
The event was attended by cricket legends, including Chris Gayle, Kohli’s former teammate from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The entire cricket team, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, was present. Other well-known figures like Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Brian Lara, and Ashish Nehra were also there.
Host Gaurav Kapoor brought Kohli on stage and managed to get him to talk about his Test retirement. Kapoor mentioned that everyone misses Kohli on the field, which prompted Kohli to respond, I just colored my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are coloring your beard every four days.
Kohli also spoke about his connection with Ravi Shastri, his former head coach, and thanked him for his support early in his career, which helped him develop into the player he is today.
Honestly, if I wasn’t working with him… what happened in Test cricket wouldn’t have been possible. The clarity which we had together is very hard to find. It’s everything for cricketers to grow in their careers. Even he hadn’t backed me the way he did… those press conferences where he took the bullets from the front line. Things would have been different and I always have respect and regard for him, for being a massive part of my cricketing way, Kohli said.
Kohli also remembered his early days with the Indian team, sharing the dressing room with players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan.
We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. I met him for the first time during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I started playing for India, him, bhajju pa and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings. Really helped me grow as a player, made me comfortable in the dressing room. Lot of fun times off the field and made me aware of the lifestyle of getting to the top. These are the bonds I would cherish for the rest of my life. Watching him in the World Cup was very special and what we got to know after that was a shock. Being so close to him… we had no idea. Then his battle with cancer and again the champion that he is… coming on top and making a comeback to the team when I was leading the team
Kohli recalled a 2017 series game against England in Cuttack, where Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni both scored centuries after the top order fell quickly.I clearly remember we played a game against England in Cuttack. There was a 2017 series we played at home and top-order got out early and Yuvi pa got 150 I think and MS scored 110 or something. I still remember telling KL or someone that this is like childhood days watching on big tv… I have a lot of love and respect for him. It’s a pleasure being here and I won’t do it for any other person but him, he said.