Coach Rajkumar Sharma Expresses Pride Over Virat Kohli's Test Retirement Decision

Virat Kohli's sudden announcement of his retirement from Test cricket has sent shockwaves throughout the cricket world. The cricket legend made the announcement on Monday morning through an emotional post on social media, surprising fans and veterans alike. Despite having many more years of cricket left in him, Virat's decision to step away from the format has sparked widespread reactions. Among the first to comment on this was Rajkumar Sharma, Virat Kohli's childhood coach, who expressed pride and admiration for his disciple’s bold decision.

Rajkumar Sharma's Reaction

Rajkumar Sharma, who has been a guiding force in Virat’s cricketing journey, called his decision a "brave and exemplary" move. He shared his thoughts in an interview, stating, “Virat has set an example by saying goodbye to Test cricket at the peak of his career. We have often seen that the retirement of our cricketers doesn’t come at an ideal time, but Virat has done it in a manner that everyone would aspire to.”

Sharma emphasized that despite Virat still having plenty of cricket left in him, the manner in which he has chosen to retire — at his peak — speaks volumes about his character. “He could have played a lot more, but Virat’s approach has always been about doing things on his terms," said Sharma, adding that Virat’s decision reflects his distinctive style and thought process.

Appreciating Virat's Contributions

Rajkumar Sharma went on to salute Virat’s monumental contribution to Indian cricket, highlighting his transformation of the Indian team’s culture, particularly under his captaincy. “When Virat became the captain, he changed the entire culture of the Indian team, from the fitness levels of the players to the team’s mentality of winning abroad. This is his huge contribution to Indian cricket,” Sharma noted, further stating, “I am very proud of him. His career was fantastic. This is an emotional moment for all Indians, and his fans. They still want me to convince him to play on, and I tell them that Virat listens to me, but it’s his decision.”

Virat Kohli's Legendary Career

Virat Kohli’s Test career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Across 123 matches, he amassed 9230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His leadership skills were on full display, leading India to 40 victories in 68 Tests. He is also the most successful Asian captain in Test cricket history. Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket, both as a player and captain, will be remembered for years to come.