Ravi Shastri Just Exposed the Real Story Behind Virat Kohli’s Test Exit — And It’s Not What You Think
For fans who thought Virat Kohli’s Test retirement was a calm, well-planned goodbye — think again. Ravi Shastri has just dropped a revelation that completely flips the narrative. Turns out, Kohli didn’t want to end his red-ball journey quietly. In fact, he offered to return as India’s stop-gap Test captain earlier this year — right after the team’s slump in Australia.
Yes, the man who led India to iconic overseas wins, brought intensity to every Test arena, and made red-ball cricket cool again, wanted one last mission.
According to Shastri, Kohli was ready to temporarily take charge and help India reset after a rough patch. But the selectors had other plans. The Ajit Agarkar-led panel reportedly discussed Kohli’s desire to return but ultimately passed on it, choosing to back a long-term captaincy option — Shubman Gill.
Speaking on SonyLiv, Shastri made his stance crystal clear:
"Virat was the kind of guy who would never back down from a challenge. If I had anything to do with it, I would have made him captain straight after Australia. Just for continuity. He was ready. And I think he had it in him to steady that team. Even if for a short while."
That quote alone suggests Kohli wasn’t stepping down — he was being turned away.
There was no farewell Test, no grand press conference, no final lap. Just silence. For a player who redefined India’s Test identity, it felt oddly abrupt.
So maybe this wasn’t just retirement. Maybe it was a missed opportunity.
And now, cricket fans are left wondering: Did India’s greatest Test captain walk away on his own terms — or was the door quietly shut behind him?
