‘Sad but correct…’ - Former India bowling coach makes shocking statement on Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement

It was on the 12th of May last month when the Indian cricket fraternity, including the fans and experts, were left shocked, and it was the Test retirement of the former India skipper and legendary batter Virat Kohli. The modern-day batting great announced his retirement with an Instagram post, leaving everyone speculating.

Meanwhile, Kohli’s retirement also started a lot of discussions and debates among former cricketers and experts of the game. One of the major questions was whether it was the right time for Kohli’s Test retirement or it came too early, before a few years.

Amidst all this, former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has come up with a shocking statement while speaking about Virat Kohli’s Test retirement.

“They must have realised that it was time” – Paras Mhambrey

While everyone is saying that it may have been quite early for Virat Kohli to announce his retirement from the longest format of the game, Mhambrey has something different to say on the same question.

“Virat didn't have five years of test cricket left in him. You knew that, right? Their individual battles that they fought, they must have realised that it was time,” said Mhambrey to Hindustan Times in an exclusive conversation.

“They always say how valuable they could be in their contribution. And sometimes, it's the motivation bit. Maybe they were not as motivated to play that format. They'll not be able to give their best to that format. And that's the way they approach. So very selfless approach, both of them,” Mhambrey, who was a part of the coaching staff of India's T20 World Cup-winning team,” he added later.

Furthermore, Mhambrey also spoke about the availability of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI format.

“Sometimes you are not in the frame of mind to go through the grind. If I'm not there 100%, I would rather just be honest and say that I'm good in one format. Let me focus on the other format, which can be more useful for the team,” he said.