New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s retirement from Tests marks the culmination of a career that symbolised the unapologetic India of the 21st century, whose impact is far geater than Sachin Tendulat on Indian cricket, believes former Australian batting guru Greg Chappell.
The 36-year-old retired from red-ball cricket on Monday and departs after 9230 runs in 123 Tests, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties at an average of 46.85.
His exit before a five-match Test series in England beginning next month follows a prolonged slump in form that saw him struggle in the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia last year.
Former India head coach Chappell praised Kohli’s Test career that began in 2011 was a stint that was forged in ‘in grit, fire, and audacity’.
“It closes the chapter on the most transformative figure in Indian cricket since Sachin Tendulkar; perhaps Kohli even eclipses him in terms of cultural influence and psychological impact on India’s cricketing identity,” Chappell wrote on ESPNCricinfo.
“Kohli, the incandescent heart of Indian cricket for over a decade, did not just score runs. He redefined expectations, challenged conventions, and symbolised the self-assured, unapologetic India of the 21st century.”
While announcing his decision, the No.4 batter said that walking away from the India ‘whites’ wasn’t an easy decision to make but he leaves with a heart full of gratitude.
“Virat Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer we’ve ever seen,” Chappell wrote.
“He was – a snarling warrior in whites, never giving an inch, always demanding more. Not just of his bowlers, his fielders or his opposition, but first and foremost, of himself,” he said.
Apart from being one of the foremost batters of the current generation, Kohli’s legacy would be his ability to mark a “seismic” shift in energy.
“There was a time when Indian cricket, particularly overseas, bore an air of respectful submission – playing with technical skill, yes, but often with psychological inferiority.
“That changed in stages. Sourav Ganguly gave Indian cricket a new spine. MS Dhoni brought ice-cold leadership and white-ball dominance. But Kohli? Kohli lit the fire. He tore the script and authored a new one, where India was not just competitive abroad but expected to win,” he explained.
“Where others reacted, Kohli anticipated. He saw innings before they unfolded. He lived the pressure before it arrived.
“Yes, Tendulkar was a genius. Yes, Dhoni was a master tactician and an ice-cold finisher. But in the grand reckoning of Indian cricket history, Kohli has been its most influential figure,” he said.
“Why? Because he changed not just results but mindsets.”
Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket on Monday after 9230 runs in 123 Tests, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties at an average of 46.85. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
