- The talismanic batter Virat Kohli has surprisingly announced his retirement from Test cricket, rendering a big blow to the cricket crazy Indian and overseas fans as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India mandarins. For all those cricket connoisseurs, experts, ex-cricketers, and crazy fans following the fortunes of the most popular game in the country, would know how much the five-day Test matches meant for Virat Kohli. Why only India, even people from around the cricketing world knew Virat’s passionate push for the longest format of the game to sustain longevity amid the plethora of franchise-based T20 leagues mushrooming. Right from day one, Virat made no bones about his preference for Test cricket.
PC: ESPNcricinfo
- Looking back, one would be left wondering with amazement to see Virat making the number four position in the batting order his own after taking over from the indomitable and legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Cricket crazy fans would nod in agreement and in unison, how Virat took to the red ball format like a duck takes to the water. His passion, commitment, energy, competitiveness, feistiness, and in-your-face attitude not only endeared teammates but also enthused the die-hard followers to back him and the Indian outfit unconditionally. Recollect how Team India was in a transition mode when some of the greats of the game like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, and Anil Kumble called it quits after rendering fabulous services.
PC: India TV News
- This is when Kohli stepped in to take over the mantle and push Team India’s fortunes ahead. After enduring a demoralizing failure in English conditions early in his Test career, Virat reinvented himself with such a fabulous work ethic and discipline that he was catapulted as the numero uno batter for an extended period of time, scoring tonnes of runs under diverse/challenging playing conditions. One of the most defining contributions of Virat to Indian cricket is his overwhelming emphasis on fitness and competitive streak to take on the best in the business, irrespective of the conditions/reputation. After taking over the reins of captaincy from MS Dhoni, Virat simply blossomed into a great batter and ensured Team India’s stake rose too by leading from the front.
PC: National Herald
- Virat always played to win and hence preferred to go for the kill by adopting an attacking mode. During his captaincy tenure, Indian pacemen flourished as the team management always played to win with five bowlers rather than go ahead with the then-conventional four bowlers’ tactics. The result, astounding away wins, was fashioned by none other than Virat, being the flagbearer, setting up the pace of the Tests in his invincible ways. Of late, he was struggling to repeat hallowed standards of yore, failing incessantly to notch up decent enough scores. One would have thought Virat would call it quits after the ensuing five-match Test series in England. Alas, he announced his retirement before that. Truly, an era in Test cricket has come to an end. Proud of you, Virat!
