Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket came as a shock to fans and pundits alike, but for former England captain Nasser Hussain, the move may have been less about age or physical strain and more about the Indian icon’s relentless pursuit of excellence and refusal to ever become “just a normal cricketer.”
Kohli, 36, brought the curtain down on his illustrious red-ball career this Monday, leaving behind a formidable legacy that redefined Indian Test cricket. Known for his unrelenting drive and unmatched leadership, he not only reignited interest in the longest format of the game but also became India’s most successful Test captain. With 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, Kohli’s stats speak volumes. His highest score, an unbeaten 254, remains a testament to his dominance at the crease.
While speaking on a podcast, Hussain reflected on what might have prompted the timing of Kohli’s retirement. “He is the ultimate winner, he sees the end goal as a win, and he is desperate for that,” he said, suggesting that Kohli’s insatiable hunger to perform at the highest level every single time might have made it hard for him to accept anything less than full intensity.
“Everything for Kohli is about winning. Why do you think he’s so good in run chases? He can’t go on the field and not be a hundred per cent, he can’t ever go: ‘I’ll just do my best today,’” Hussain added. He speculated that Kohli’s unwillingness to simply go through the motions may have contributed to his decision to step away. “That may have formed part of his retirement decision, he doesn’t want to be a normal cricketer, just doing a little bit here and there. He made India into the force they are today.”
For Hussain, Kohli’s impact extends far beyond the numbers. “I have been a massive Virat Kohli fan over the last 14 years – his stats speak for themselves – but he was so much more than that. It was his aura, swagger, and passion. We know Indian cricket fans, and the game means so much to them,” he said, underscoring the emotional and cultural weight Kohli brought to the sport.
Whether admired or criticized, Kohli’s presence in the whites of India brought unmatched fire and energy to Test cricket, and as the world comes to terms with his absence from the format, the legacy he leaves behind remains unquestionable.
