Sourav Ganguly Makes Big Revelation: "Virat Kohli Felt It Was the Right Time to Retire from Tests"
Sourav Ganguly said that Virat Kohli decided to retire from Test cricket on his own, even though the BCCI tried to make him stay. Ganguly respected Kohli’s choice and said it reminded him of his own retirement, as every player knows when it's time to move on. He was a bit surprised that Kohli retired at 36, but believes Kohli felt it was the right moment to say goodbye.
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Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has spoken about Virat Kohli’s unexpected decision to retire from Test cricket. He confirmed that the decision was completely Kohli’s and that the BCCI had tried to convince him to stay, but Kohli had made up his mind.
Kohli, 36, told the board about his decision four days before officially announcing it on May 12. Ganguly, who shared a good working relationship with Kohli, said the former captain took the call on his own, without any pressure. "As a player, you just know when it’s time," Ganguly said. "People are asking why now. I know the last few years in Tests weren’t great for him, but top players like Kohli always bounce back. I’m sure if he was on the England tour, he would’ve scored runs. But he felt it was time to step away."
Kohli’s retirement surprised many, including Ganguly himself. After already leaving T20Is, most people expected Kohli to play Tests for a few more years. "Everything ends someday," Ganguly added. "Yes, he’s just 36, still fit, still playing IPL and ODIs. But Test cricket is different. At some point, you feel it’s time. I felt the same and retired when I thought it was right."
Ganguly also looked back at his own retirement. He left Test cricket at 37 after being out of the ODI team for over a year. Even though he was still scoring runs in 2006–07, the team was planning for the future, and he stepped aside to make way for younger players.
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Kohli’s retirement was first reported by The Indian Express, which also said the BCCI tried to convince him to continue. Like Ganguly, who ended his Test career with a golden duck against Australia in Nagpur, Kohli too walked away on his own terms.
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