“Virat still had a couple of years left in him”: R Ashwin on Kohli’s Sudden Test Retirement
Ashwin says Kohli had more Test cricket left, but mental fatigue may have led to his early retirement decision.
Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Virat Kohli could have continued playing Test cricket for another year or two. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin opened up about Kohli’s retirement and the kind of impact he had on Indian cricket.
Kohli recently ended his Test career after playing 123 matches. He scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. But for Ashwin, it wasn’t just about numbers. He praised Kohli’s unmatched energy, saying it stood out in everything he did from batting and fielding to leading the side.
“What truly set him apart was his incredible energy, whether he was batting, captaining, or just competing. There were times when I wanted to ask Virat, ‘What did you have for breakfast today?’” Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin hinted that Kohli’s decision might have been due to mental fatigue. Being such a high-energy player, the pressure to keep performing at that level may have taken a toll on him.
“But I can’t help but feel that Virat still had a couple of years left in him. That thought has been on my mind for some time. Could his energy levels have led to the retirement? Perhaps Virat felt that he no longer had the mental strength to push himself further,” he said.
Kohli’s desire to stay on top of his game could have worked against him in the end, according to Ashwin.
“The search for excellence can sometimes result in your undoing in sport. The high standards you set for yourself can eventually catch up with you,” Ashwin added.
Kohli’s style of batting was inspired by Sachin Tendulkar. He worked hard on playing to his strengths and focused on consistency more than flair. Even with some known technical flaws, he still became one of India’s best Test batsmen.
As India says goodbye to Kohli, it’s also saying goodbye to an entire era. Both Ashwin and Rohit Sharma have also stepped away from Test cricket. The team now heads into a new phase, with younger players filling the shoes of legends.
