The Delhi coach, Sarandeep Singh, has made a shocking revelation on Virat Kohli’s test retirement, saying that the batting stalwart was prepared for the England tour.
Virat Kohli announced his test retirement via an Instagram post on May 12. Sarandeep Singh has expressed surprise at Kohli’s test retirement, revealing that the 36-year-old was highly motivated and fully prepared for the upcoming England tour, even aiming to replicate his 2018 performance, making his sudden decision all the more unexpected.
Kohli has scored 593 runs in 10 innings at an average of 59.30 in India’s tour of England in 2018.
“I was surprised this morning when I heard this news. Talking about the Delhi Ranji trophy match, I have never seen him a player so involved and show so much intensity after coming down from Test cricket.”
“He was saying that however the Australia tour was, he was fully prepared for the England tour. He wanted to have a series like the 2018 series and we could see the preparation. Suddenly, the person who was ready to go to England is now not going. The reason Virat will only know,” said Sarandeep Singh on media.
Sarandeep Sharma also revealed that Virat Kohli gave no indication of retiring and was actually planning to play India A matches ahead of the England series.
He said there were no fitness or form concerns and Kohli was aiming to score multiple centuries in England.
“There was no hint. Did not even hear from anywhere. Some days ago, I was talking to him on messages but I did not get any hint, he was thinking about this. The kind of IPL he is having, he is in incredible form.”
“I asked him will he would play County cricket before the Test match. He said he wanted to play two India ‘A’ matches before the Test series. Suddenly, this comes. There is not fitness issue. No form issue.”
“He got one century in Australia, but he was not satisfied. During the Ranji Trophy, he was telling me that he wants to score 3-4 centuries in England because is the most senior player in the team,” Sarandeep added.
India are set to travel England for five match Test series which will be played between June and August. The first match of the test series will be played on June 20-24 at Headingley.
