‘His passion rubbed off on everyone’ – Bhuvneshwar Kumar sheds light on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement

‘His passion rubbed off on everyone’ – Bhuvneshwar Kumar sheds light on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement. (Photo Source: Twitter/X)

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the red-ball cricket on May 12, calling it quits in the longest format of the game. As fans and fellow cricketers pay tribute to India’s most successful Test captain, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also opened up on Kohli’s legacy.

Kohli’s Test career began in 2011 and has been brilliant since then. More than just a batter, Kohli brought in a new leadership way and took India to the No.1 position. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has shared the dressing room with Kohli for over a decade, shared some unheard stories via Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The pacer talked about the 36-year-old’s exceptional leadership skills and how it made him different from others.

“The way Virat captained in the Test format, he deserves credit for the way we transformed as a team. I think the reason for that is Virat’s nature on the ground. He is aggressive, we all know that, and in Test cricket, you need that nature somewhere, because Test cricket is a format that lasts for five days. It was the hunger in Virat that said, ‘we have to do something, we don’t have to just go through the motions, we have to create chances.’ I think Virat’s passion rubbed off on everyone,” he said.

Kohli retired with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries and seven double hundreds, the most by any Indian in the format. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40, boasting a win percentage of nearly 59%. Under his leadership, India achieved their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018-19, and held the No.1 ICC Test ranking for five consecutive years.

The impact of Kohli’s leadership wasn’t limited to numbers. He brought fitness to the forefront and turned India into a strong, fast-bowling unit. Six Indian bowlers crossed the 100-wicket mark during his captaincy.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

habiba sultana

See Full Bio