Former England captain Nasser Hussain has shared his thoughts on batting stalwart Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test Cricket.
He went on to praise Virat Kohli for his outstanding performances over 14 years, but for his talent and passion for the game. Kohli called out for his 14-year test career on Monday. His retirement came after fellow Indian star Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement.
With both key players stepping down within a week, India will face a big challenge ahead as they prepare for the upcoming five-match test series in England.
Virat Kohli has played 123 matches and scored 9230 runs, concluding as the fourth-highest run scorer in the format at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
Leading the side on 68 tests, he has the highest win percentage with 40 wins and held No.1 rankings for 42 months.
Virat Kohli is part of 14 Indian players who has made 100 test appearances alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. Notably, he holds the record for the most double centuries by an Indian.
Speaking on the podcast, Nasser Hussain lauded Virat Kohli with transforming the team’s approach to the game. He added that Kohli set a high standard for anyone who follows in his footsteps.
“I have been a massive Virat Kohli fan over the last 14 years – his stats speak for themselves – but he was so much more than that. It was his aura, swagger, and passion. We know Indian cricket fans, and the game means so much to them.”
“They want their captain to show them what it means to the team, and no one embodied that passion for cricket in India more than Kohli,” Nasser Hussain said.
“He was an unbelievable player. He took India to No. 1 in the world, and they stayed there for about 42 months. He completely changed the way they play cricket. Whoever takes on that mantle has got something to live up to,” he added.
He described Kohli as fierce competitor who is obsessed with winning and giving his absolute best every time he steps on the field.
“He is the ultimate winner, he sees the end goal as a win, and he is desperate for that. Everything for Kohli is about winning. Why do you think he’s so good in run chases?”
“He can’t go on the field and not be a hundred per cent, he can’t ever go: ‘I’ll just do my best today.’ That may have formed part of his retirement decision, he doesn’t want to be a normal cricketer, just doing a little bit here and there. He made India into the force they are today.”
With India missing the services of the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blues will be playing a high profile five match test series against England starting on June 20-24 at Headingley.
