Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared his candid reaction to Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, admitting that the announcement came as a surprise. Speaking to The ICC Review, Shastri said he had spoken to Kohli just a week before the official statement and sensed that the decision was already made. “His mind was very clear. He felt he had given everything to the format. There were no regrets,” Shastri said.

Kohli, who retired with 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries, leaves behind a legacy that Shastri described as “infectious” and “unmatched.” Despite his belief that Kohli had another two to three years of Test cricket in him, Shastri acknowledged the toll that mental fatigue can take, even on the fittest athletes. “When you're mentally fried and overcooked, it sends a message to your body — that’s it,” he explained.

The 1983 World Cup winner noted that Kohli’s woes persisted despite him remaining physically fitter than most of his teammates for over a decade.

Shastri also highlighted the intense pressure and global scrutiny Kohli operated under, calling him one of the most followed cricketers of the last decade. “He had a love-hate relationship with the crowd. His intensity was such that it spread like a rash — from the dressing room to living rooms,” he said, pointing to Kohli’s polarising but magnetic personality.

Praising Kohli’s commitment, Shastri said, “If he decided to do something, he gave it 100%.” He reflected on their highly successful coach-captain partnership that included landmark Test series wins in Australia, West Indies, and Sri Lanka. According to Shastri, Kohli has nothing left to prove: “He’s done everything — captained, won World Cups, and delivered for India. There’s no unfinished business.”

Shastri’s comments paint a picture of admiration, respect, and understanding for a cricketer who redefined intensity and leadership in Indian Test cricket.

‘Bumrah, Jadeja considered for India captaincy’

Shubman Gill might be frontrunner for succeeding Rohit Sharma as India's Test skipper during the tour to England, but former spinner R Ashwin said other experienced names such as Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should also be considered for the hot seat.

The Indian squad for the tour of England could be picked up in the final week of May, and the run-up to the selection process is dominated by the talks around the possible new captain.

“First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja," Ashwin said during a chat with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan in his YouTube channel.

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"If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis.”

After the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit from Tests, Jadeja is the most experienced player in the Indian side with 3370 runs from 80 Tests and he also has 323 wickets.

“But I would say why not get all the 3-4 candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team. It happens in countries like Australia and why won't we go down that road," added Ashwin.

The former off-spinner, who has over 500 Test wickets, said Bumrah too should be considered seriously and his recent injury should not be a hindrance.

"Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs. Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure and he should be in the discussion.

"He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring," Ashwin noted. (With inputs from Agencies)