Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri showered praise on Virat Kohli after his Test retirement, stating the veteran belonged to a different class of cricketers. Kohli announced his Test retirement on Monday, confirming the news on his Instagram account.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Along with Shastri, the former chief coach, Kohli took India’s Test team to new heights. Kohli’s team also became the first Indian side to win a Test series on the Australian soil on the 2018-19 tour. 

It is well known that Shastri and Kohli share a great bonhomie with each other and the former enjoyed a lot of success as India’s head coach with latter as the captain.

“He belonged to a different class of cricketers – He has been the most influential cricketer of the last decade,” Shastri told Cricbuzz on Monday (May 12), hours after Kohli announced retirement from Test cricket. Shastri was known as a friend, philosopher, guide and mentor of Kohli.

“There are many unforgettable memories, some which are immensely personal to me. He played a brand of cricket associated with no other Indian and captain as well. As I wrote in my social media post (on X, formerly Twitter), he is truly a modern-day giant,” Shastri said.

Shastri had earlier wrote on X, “Can’t believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained. Thank you for the lasting memories you’ve given to everyone, and to me in particular. It’s something I will cherish for life. Go well, champ. God bless @imVkohli.”

Kohli led India in 68 Test matches, winning 40, drawing 11 and losing 17, and thus he is regarded as one of India’s most successful Test captains.