Kris Srikkanth says Virat Kohli deserved a better send-off after Test retirement

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth feels ex-skipper Virat Kohli deserved a better send-off from Test cricket. Kohli called time on his red-ball career in May and surprised one and all as he is still at the top of his fitness.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. In the last 69 Test innings since 2020, Kohli has managed only 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries.

Before 2020, Kohli accumulated 7202 runs in 141 Test innings at an average of 54.97, including 27 centuries.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma also announced his Test retirement in May and Srikkanth reckons there was a big communication gap between India’s think tank and the duo of Rohit and Virat when they announced their retirement.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “If you play 100 Tests for your country, you must be a terrific cricketer. So you should be given a good send-off. I am convinced there was a big communication gap when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired. They should have spoken to them but instead this is not a good look for the game and Indian cricket.”

“Virat Kohli’s retirement happened just like that. Virat Kohli deserved a better send-off. He still had two years of Test cricket left in him. But because we drew in England, such talks about him got shut off. However, India will find it difficult to get a cricketer like Virat Kohli for some time.”

The former attacking batter reckons Cheteshwar Pujara would have also received a better farewell if the same had been given to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

“Similarly with Pujara, though it’s been a while since he played for India, they should have spoken to him also about his retirement plans. Of course, the player also has to co-operate and realize when their time is up. Had that happened, Pujara would have got a better send-off. But it’s a matter of cooperation between the player, selectors and the BCCI,” said Srikkanth.

Kohli and Rohit will be next seen in action in the ODI series against Australia.