Virender Sehwag Surprised by Virat Kohli's Early Test Retirement

Sehwag's Reaction to Kohli's Retirement

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has voiced his astonishment regarding Virat Kohli's choice to retire from Test cricket, suggesting that the prolific batsman could have easily played for another couple of years. Kohli, who has participated in 123 Test matches and amassed over 9,200 runs, recently announced his retirement following the conclusion of India's 2023–25 Test season.

Timing of the Decision

In a discussion on Cricbuzz, Sehwag expressed his surprise at the timing of Kohli's retirement, particularly given the player's exceptional fitness and competitive spirit.

“Definitely. I feel he retired too early from the Test format. He could've played easily for two years, the way he maintains fitness. But only Virat Kohli can tell the reasons behind the decision,” Sehwag remarked.

Kohli's Energy on the Field

Sehwag noted that while every athlete has the right to make personal choices, Kohli's demeanor and vitality on the field did not indicate that he was nearing the end of his Test career.

“But according to me, the way he played, and the way he showed energy, it feels he could've easily played for two years,” Sehwag added.

Kohli's Impressive Test Record

Kohli's statistics in Test cricket are remarkable: 123 matches, 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, which includes 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His dedication to the longest format and his dynamic leadership have significantly contributed to India's success in Test cricket.

Insights from Ajit Agarkar

India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, provided further context regarding Kohli's retirement decision. He revealed that Kohli had informed the team of his intention to retire as early as April, citing personal standards and a sense of fulfillment.

“Virat reached out early April and said he wants to finish. We've seen him give 200% to every ball that he plays, even when he is not batting or he's in the field. He probably felt that he had given everything that he had and if he can't keep up to the standards that he set for himself over the years, and how good he has been, and maybe it was time for him,” Agarkar explained.

Respecting Kohli's Decision

Agarkar emphasized that there was nothing left for Kohli to prove, given his extensive contributions to the format.

“It has come from him. You've got to respect that. They have earned that respect, both of them. As all great players are, the one thing there is, they are true to themselves, and he was in that conversation. So you've got to respect that. We'll obviously miss [Kohli], when you've got a guy who's played 123 Test matches, 30 Test hundreds, it's going to be tough to fill,” Agarkar stated.

Ongoing Debate

With Sehwag believing that Kohli's retirement came too soon and Agarkar highlighting the honesty behind the decision, discussions surrounding Kohli's exit from Test cricket are likely to continue.