Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test Cricket was a jolt to the heart for cricket fans across the globe. Kohli, the face of Indian cricket and the captain who took the Test team to its greatest heights, one of the fiercest torchbearers of the longest format in the modern era, walked away from the format. In an era of franchise leagues, Kohli stood as a pied piper of cricket’s most storied format.
In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Michael Clarke, former Australia Captain, summed it up perfectly:
“Virat will be missed by so many.. but none more than the game of Test cricket itself.”
A format that had been battling for relevance amid the growing popularity of T20 cricket and franchise league, Kohli kept crowds glued to their TV screens and stadiums filled to the brim. Under his captaincy, the Indian Test team reached their pinnacle, beating Australia in their own backyard after 71 long years. Test cricket will surely miss him.
Although Kohli’s impact on the format captured a sentiment across cricketing nations, he was a global ambassador for Test cricket. His leadership and captaincy style, that focused on fitness and intensity, changed the culture of the Indian team and also redefined how modern players approached the format.
“He has been the face of our sport around the world for such a long time and his love and passion for this format particularly, has been as important as the runs he has scored.” Clarke said
Kohli’s retirement is the end of an era. While the game will go on, Test cricket will undeniably feel the absence of one of its most vocal and visible champions.
“He was a player every captain would have loved in their team. Test Cricket will miss him.” the former Australia Captain concluded