Sanjay Bangar Reflects on Virat Kohli's Test Retirement Decision

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru coach Sanjay Bangar reflects on Virat Kohli's recent retirement from Test cricket, expressing his belief that Kohli still had years of potential left. Despite Bangar's attempts to convince him otherwise, Kohli made a decisive choice to step away from the format, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career. Fans honored Kohli during his first match post-retirement, showcasing the impact he had on Indian cricket. This article delves into Bangar's insights and the implications of Kohli's departure from Test cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 18, 2025, 10:53 IST

Sanjay Bangar's Thoughts on Kohli's Retirement

New Delhi [India] - Former head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sanjay Bangar, expressed his attempts to persuade Virat Kohli regarding his retirement from Test cricket, emphasizing that the star player still had several productive years ahead.

Just a month prior to India's crucial tour of England, the 36-year-old cricket icon announced his retirement from the Test format through an emotional Instagram post, shortly after his teammate Rohit Sharma also stepped away from Test cricket.

Bangar described the day as a "sad day" for him personally, having closely observed Kohli's development during their time together in the IPL and the national team.

He noted that Kohli had firmly decided on his retirement, feeling confident about the timing and that there was no turning back from his unexpected choice.

"It was a sad day for me personally. He was a giant of his era. 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. He was convinced about the timing, and once he made that decision, there was no going back," Bangar shared on JioHotstar.

He added, "We must respect that. 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 made his first appearance after his Test retirement during a match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Kolkata Knight Riders at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where fans donned white attire to honor his illustrious career.

Over his 14-year journey in Test cricket, Kohli transformed India into a formidable team, instilling a culture of aggression and fitness among players of varying experience levels.

Throughout his career, he amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, making him India's fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history.

Kohli's exit from red-ball cricket continues a trend of prominent players leaving the Test format, following the retirement of renowned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.