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The cricket world was stunned by Virat Kohli's unexpected retirement from Test cricket. Despite going through a challenging period with his form, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was reportedly keen for him to be part of the squad traveling to England. Media outlets indicated that the BCCI even urged Kohli to reconsider his decision, but the seasoned cricketer remained resolute. Many cricket legends believed that, given his exceptional fitness, Kohli could have easily continued playing Test cricket for at least another two years. But the superstar batter already made up his mind and dropped a bomber on his fans by retiring from the longest format right ahead of India's tour of England which is starting from June 20.
Harbhajan Singh reveals chat between Virat Kohli and his daughter after superstar batter's Test retirement
Among those surprised by the news was former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. He shared that Kohli's decision not only shocked him but also his daughter, Hinaya. Harbhajan revealed that his daughter specifically asked him to message Kohli on her behalf, and she received a warm and gracious reply from the veteran batsman.
"I couldn't understand why Virat Kohli took retirement. My daughter said to me, 'Papa, why did Virat Kohli take retirement? I want to message him'. She wrote to Virat Kohli saying, 'I am Hinaya. Why did you take retirement?' Her heart was affected like that. Virat Kohli replied with a laugh saying, 'Beta, now it's time'," shared Harbhajan, as quoted by The Times of India.
Virat Kohli concluded his illustrious Test career with 9,230 runs from 210 innings, including 30 centuries. While his statistics may not numerically rival those of all-time greats like Sachin Tendulkar, or even modern contemporaries like Joe Root and Steve Smith, Kohli's impact on Test cricket extends far beyond mere numbers. At a time when the traditional format of the game was struggling for relevance and viewership, Kohli emerged as a vital catalyst for its revival. His unwavering aggression and intense passion for Test cricket reignited fan interest, injecting new life into the format and ensuring its continued survival and prominence in the cricketing world.
Kohli is currently busy in IPL 2025 and will be key in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) crucial clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2025's Eliminator 1.
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