Virat Kohli’s sudden Test retirement is still a hot topic of debate within the Indian cricket circle. The former Indian cricketers have yet not come to terms with his retirement call.
Even Kohli’s teammates in the current Indian setup who are currently playing the Test series in England have often spoken about him being a big part of the team’s thinking process.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who has played closely with Virat Kohli and is now commentating for Sony Sports in the series, has also elucidated about the impact Virat Kohli had on Test cricket, particularly.
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Our Careers Had Natural Progression - Kane Williamson On Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli decided to retire from Test cricket just ahead of the England Test series. Despite the best efforts from the BCCI, he did not take a U-turn on his retirement call.
The absence of Virat can be dearly felt in the Indian team who have struggled with the bat in the series. The number three spot has been rotated between Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan. Shubman Gill has scored over 600 runs in the series, replacing Kohli at number four. However, he did not score too many in India’s loss at Lord’s.
Kane Williamson, who is currently in England playing domestic cricket, spoke to Times of India from the sidelines on Kohli’s sudden retirement call. He started his interaction recalling their U-19 days and the time they started together.
“Funny you mentioned that. You don't consider that whilst you're just right in the middle of it and then players that you've played alongside for so many years. Your careers have kind of married up from under 19s through to captaining or playing for your country. Then in the captain instance that we did that... were very similar times to the natural progression. Everybody finishes” said Kane.
He further spoke about the bond he shares with Kohli and admitted in the process that he was taken aback a bit when he came to know about Kohli’s decision.
“When some of those decisions are made it does stop you and make you consider a lot of things but also appreciation and respect. Someone like Virat.. so many great moments throughout the international game but really the bond outside of the pitch is something that's you know far more special and those experiences that have been shared together” Williamson added on Kohli.
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Kohli Retired On His Own Terms - Williamson
He concluded by saying that all good things comes to an end while stressing that Virat Kohli retired on his own terms which was a massive takeaway from his career.
“All good things come to an end and the way he's been able to make those decisions that feel comfortable to him... I think it's been incredible going out on his terms, etc. Although still involved in one of the formats” concluded Williamson.
Kohli retired from Test matches with 9230 runs from 123 Test matches, scoring 30 hundreds and 31 fifties. He also scored seven double centuries, the most by an Indian batter in the format. Kohli previously retired from T20I cricket after the T20 World Cup and will continue to play ODI cricket.
