Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket just ahead of India’s crucial tour of England left the cricketing world in shock—and former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar among the most affected.
In a heartfelt revelation on JioHotstar, Bangar shared how he attempted to convince Kohli to continue, believing the 36-year-old still had a few prime years of Test cricket left in him.
“It was a sad day for me personally. He was a giant of his era,” said Bangar, who had coached Kohli both during his India tenure and in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “I tried to reason with him—there were still a few good years of Test cricket left in him. But he had made up his mind.”
Bangar revealed that Kohli’s conviction and timing were unwavering. “He was convinced about the timing, and once he made that decision, there was no going back.”
The former coach added that Kohli’s choice to retire while still performing at a high level spoke volumes of his sporting ethos:
“In our country, letting go is not always appreciated, but Virat chose the right moment. He retired when people were still asking ‘why now?’—and that’s often the hallmark of a great sportsman.”
Kohli announced his retirement via Instagram just weeks after Rohit Sharma, his long-time teammate and co-leader, stepped away from Test cricket. The twin exits mark a generational shift in Indian cricket, further underscored by R Ashwin’s mid-series retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Kohli’s Test legacy is monumental:
- 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85
- 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries
- Led India to historic overseas wins and instilled a culture of aggression and peak fitness
His retirement brought an outpouring of fan support, with RCB supporters at the Chinnaswamy Stadium donning whites in tribute during their match against Kolkata Knight Riders—an emotional testament to Kohli’s unparalleled impact on Indian cricket.
As India looks ahead, Kohli’s departure, along with other senior figures, represents more than just a statistical gap—it’s the end of an era and the beginning of a transitional phase for Indian Test cricket.