Virat Kohli's Retirement Marks a New Era in Test Cricket
The Legacy of the 'Fab 4'
On August 29, 2014, New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe introduced the term 'Fab 4' to describe four exceptional young batsmen in Test cricket. He believed these players were destined to become legends in the format. Although Crowe passed away in 2016, his predictions began to materialize even before his death.
Kohli's Departure from Test Cricket
Fast forward nearly 11 years, and one of those four players, Virat Kohli, announced his retirement from Test cricket last month. He concluded his career with close to 10,000 runs and 30 centuries, earning admiration from fans worldwide for his dedication to the longest format of the game.
Joe Root Reflects on Kohli's Impact
Joe Root, the former England captain and another member of the Fab 4, shared his thoughts on Kohli's retirement. He emphasized that he never viewed Kohli as a competitor but rather respected his approach to the game. Root noted Kohli's unwavering commitment to Test cricket, stating that even after winning his first IPL title, Kohli expressed that nothing could compare to the thrill of playing Tests.
Memorable Battles on the Field
Root reminisced about Kohli's intense on-field demeanor, recalling how Kohli would celebrate as if he had taken a wicket himself. He expressed that he would miss competing against Kohli and cherished the memorable encounters they had during matches.
The Impact of Kohli and Rohit's Retirements
In a conversation with Sony Sports Network, Root remarked, "I’ve never been in competition with Virat. He is someone I’ve always admired and thought, ‘Wow, what a player’. I’ll miss those battles we had on the field, but it provides opportunities for other players to try and put their mark on Test cricket."
Kohli is not the only one stepping away; Rohit Sharma, the captain of India's Test team, also announced his retirement shortly before Kohli. While Root faced Rohit in fewer Test matches, he recognized Rohit's significance to the Indian squad, especially as he was the top scorer during India's recent overseas tour.
A Shift in Test Cricket Landscape
Root lamented the loss of both Kohli and Rohit, stating that Test cricket has lost two monumental figures. Both players had previously retired from T20 internationals following the 2024 T20 World Cup and have now exited the Test arena.
He concluded, "Cricket is poorer without them being around. They are two Indian legends. They’ve done amazing things for Indian cricket for such a long period of time. It’ll be a slightly different look to the series, but we still expect it to be highly competitive."