‘Virat Kohli felt that it’s time to leave’: Sourav Ganguly left cricket news on bombing his shocking Test retirement
New Delhi: Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has addressed the ongoing speculation about Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, confirming that the decision was completely Kohli’s own. Kohli, 36, announced his retirement on 12 May, informed the BCCI four days ago – despite the board’s efforts to convince him to reconsider.Ganguly, who shared a close working relationship with Kohli during his tenure as the President of BCCI, insisted that the former captain of India called independently and without external pressure. Kohli was announced after returning to domestic cricket, representing Delhi in the Ranji Trophy after Australia’s disappointing tour.
“I would say this is very irrelevant. My conditions, someone else’s conditions. As a player, you understand. A player as a player understands where he is standing at this time. Just look at Virat.Kohli’s decision caught several off guards – including Ganguly – assuming that he had already been away from T20 Eye and was expected to continue in the longest format for a few more years.Ganguly said, “Everything is to end. Many of us were surprised by Virat Kohli’s retirement. Just 36 years old. Fit, although he still plays IPL and one -day cricket, it never happens,” said Ganguli. “You have to play someday, and for me, I thought it’s the best time for me to finish it, and I did.”Ganguly also reflected on his exit from the game, attracted Kohli’s decision and a parallel among himself. After being out of ODI side for more than a year, he retired from tests on 37 and never played T20I.Despite being at its peak in 2006–2007 – when he scored more ODI runs than any other Indian batsman – Ganguli moved forward as the team began to look forward to focus on young talents for the 2011 World Cup.The Indian Express had earlier asked Kohli’s retirement and BCCI to persuade to carry forward the unsuccessful efforts. Ganguly ended his Test career with a Golden Duck against Australia in Nagpur – like Kohli, on his terms.
