Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar has asserted that the veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli should have continued playing the longest format of the game. Notably, Kohli retired from Test cricket ahead of the England tour last year.
Moreover, he also bid adieu to T20I cricket after the successful T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. He is currently active only in ODIs in international cricket, while he continues playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking on ‘The Great Indian Cricket Show’ on DD Sports, Bangar reckoned that Kohli retired prematurely from Test cricket. However, he added that he wanted to put an end to the format and give more priority to his personal life.
“I agree. I definitely say that. You should have played more. However, he had made up his mind that he had to put a full stop to this format and spend more time on his personal life,” Bangar said.
“We have to respect his decision, and whatever he is playing from now onwards and the pleasure he is giving, one needs to enjoy that,” he added.
Furthermore, the former Indian all-rounder also emphasized that Kohli got a good team from MS Dhoni, who bid adieu to Test cricket after the team completed a full transition.
“Yes, purely if you go by numbers as well, because in the end you see the number of wins and losses. Apart from that, the change we saw in the team’s approach. One is the results, but the other thing is that the perspective from which you are looked at changes,” he observed.
“Every team tried that India should have a positive image in their era, but on the back of fast bowling, he tried to change the perspective with which the Indian team is looked at. We would definitely say that it was Virat Kohli’s massive achievement,” Bangar concluded.
