Ravi Shastri has been the most outspoken admirer and closest ally of Virat Kohli in Indian cricket. Shastri has seen Kohli's Test career develop up close, from his rapid ascent to helping him navigate successes and challenges. The former India head coach was the only one who thought Kohli still had a long way to go in the whites.

However, in an exceptionally poignant moment on Wednesday, Shastri lowered his guard. The veteran was unable to suppress the lump in his throat when he spoke on Sony Sports about Kohli's unexpected resignation from Test cricket in advance of India's five-match Test series against England.

The choice was not made in a day. As Shastri previously told The ICC Review, Kohli had really confided in him in April. Nonetheless, Shastri is visibly affected by the choice even though he is normally quite calm.

Kohli, who is frequently referred to as "an ambassador for Test match cricket," merited a better way to bid farewell to the format with which he has been associated, according to Shastri, who suggested that his retirement might have been handled more effectively.

"Virat has declared his retirement from Test matches, which is unfortunate, you know, because he is such a wonderful athlete." An excellent player. Only by traveling there will people understand how significant a participant you were. Statistics don't capture the whole picture; it's about how he conducted himself, particularly as an ambassador for Test match cricket abroad. It was amazing the way he performed at Lord's and how his club was able to turn things around. "And I'm glad I was a part of it," Shastri remarked.

"I'm sorry that he left the way he did—all of a sudden." In my opinion, it could have been handled better, maybe with more communication.

Additionally, Shastri stated that the BCCI selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, passed up the chance to reappoint Kohli as Test captain.

"I would have made him captain right after Australia if I had anything to do with it," he continued.

After the conclusion of the South Africa trip in 2022, the Delhi hitter resigned from the Test captaincy, and Rohit Sharma was named the captain of all formats. Following the series defeat to New Zealand and Australia, there were rumors that a senior member of the team was eager to assume the captaincy position. It was fervently assumed that the suspect was Kohli, despite the fact that the name was never made public.

Although indirectly, Shastri's remarks suggested that Kohli was the one who wanted to lead India once again, but the BCCI disapproved.

After Rohit retired from the format only five days before Kohli's announcement, Shubman Gill was finally appointed skipper of the Indian Test team.

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