Ravi Shastri’s Emotional Tribute: Virat Kohli Is the Heartbeat of Indian Test Cricket
In an emotional reflection on Virat Kohli’s legacy in Test cricket, former India head coach Ravi Shastri poured his heart out, paying glowing tribute to the man who redefined the longest format of the game.
"Virat Kohli brought the fans to Test Cricket arenas when this format was losing out. I am sure Virat still had two years of Test Cricket left in him. I would love to see him in this English summer. I will miss Virat for India in Test Cricket. The team will forever miss him and his celebrations. He was a champion and that is what I would like to remember."
Shastri hailed Kohli as the "Greatest ambassador of red-ball cricket," highlighting how the star batter kept the flame of Test cricket alive amid the growing frenzy of T20 leagues:
“When the format was posing out to the explosion of T20 cricket… True, T20 brings in the moolah, Virat Kohli brought the fans to the Test Cricket arenas, at home and overseas.”
Kohli's tenure as captain and player was transformative for Indian cricket, according to Shastri, who proudly declared:
“Virat Kohli lifted Indian cricket, transforming it into a powerhouse, feared and respected — the most formidable team on the planet. Being part of this team built by Virat will remain special to my heart.”
Shastri also called Kohli “the most influential cricketer of the last decade,” lauding not just his skills but also his selflessness and unmatched fighting spirit:
“Virat Kohli was the ultimate team man — selfless, relentless, unbreakable. He didn't just lead the team. He became its heartbeat. When the fight got tough, you could bet he’d be the last man standing.”
As the cricketing world digests the possible end of an era in red-ball cricket, Ravi Shastri’s heartfelt words stand as a testament to the lasting legacy of Virat Kohli — a true giant of the game.