In a statement filled with both admiration and understanding, former Indian captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly offered his thoughts on Virat Kohli’s recent decision to step away from Test cricket, or at least reduce his commitments. Ganguly acknowledged the murmurs around Kohli’s declining statistics in the longest format over the past five years but emphasized the significance of knowing when it’s time to pause, reset, or evolve. His words highlight the mutual respect between two of Indian cricket’s most influential figures and shed light on the pressures faced by modern cricketing legends.
“As a player, everyone understands where he stands. Just look at Virat. Everybody says ‘Why?’ I know he didn’t have the best five years in Tests, but champions like him rediscover themselves… But he felt it was time to go,” Ganguly said. This statement comes in the context of Kohli’s long and storied Test career which, despite a recent dip, remains one of the most significant in the modern era.
Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, went on to become one of the most successful Indian captains in the format, known for his aggressive approach, hunger for wins overseas, and an unrelenting fitness standard that he demanded of his team. He scored over 8,000 runs in Tests, with 29 centuries to his name. Yet, since 2019, he has struggled to maintain his previous levels of dominance, going through a lean patch that has been widely discussed by pundits and fans alike.
Ganguly’s comments, however, offer a broader view, one that goes beyond numbers. They reflect an understanding of the internal compass that great athletes like Kohli develop—an instinct about their own timing and the rhythm of their careers. Not every decision is about form; some are about personal clarity, emotional readiness, and the ability to let go at the right moment.
Kohli’s passion for Test cricket has never been questioned. Under his leadership, India rose to the top of the Test rankings and reached the final of the inaugural World Test Championship. His contributions went far beyond the scoreboard — he revolutionized the team’s approach to red-ball cricket, especially in tough overseas conditions, where his leadership style and fitness culture brought out the best in Indian fast bowlers.
Ganguly, who himself has seen the highs and lows of a cricketing career, understands that legacy is not only about records but also about timing and grace. His acknowledgment that Kohli “felt it was time to go” carries weight. It implies a level of maturity and introspection that few possess in the face of relentless public scrutiny.
Kohli may yet return stronger—Ganguly hints at that too, by reminding everyone that “champions like him rediscover themselves.” The door is far from shut. This might just be a necessary interlude in a career that has already given Indian cricket a great deal, and possibly still has more to offer.
As cricket fans await Kohli’s next chapter, Ganguly’s words serve as a respectful nod to a player who has been one of the game’s fiercest competitors. And more importantly, it reminds the world that behind every decision lies a deeply human story of pride, pain, and perspective.
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