Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar revealed that he tried to change Virat Kohli’s mind about retiring from Test cricket, but he had already made up his mind. Virat Kohli’s sudden announcement on May 12 stunned the cricket world, and it was a sad day for Bangar.
He finished his Test career with 9230 runs with the help of 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 123 Test matches, an average of 46.85. However, the fans and many cricketers hoped that the modern-day maestro had more left in the tank, but he had already decided to close his red-ball chapter.
Sanjay Bangar reveals he tried to change Virat Kohli’s mind, but he was done
Bangar revealed that he “tried to reason” with the former Indian captain about his decision, as he had believed Kohli still had “good years” of Test cricket ahead, but the star batter had already made peace with his retirement call.
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The former RCB head coach, who has shared a long-standing bond with Kohli and even helped him rediscover form ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, said that the right-handed batter’s decision deserves respect. He hailed him as a true titan of this era who redefined India’s Test culture with grit, passion, and unmatched consistency.
Sanjay Bangar said on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, “It was a sad day for me personally. He was a giant of his era. I tried to reason with him—there were still a few good years of Test cricket left in him. But he had made up his mind. He was convinced about the timing, and once he made that decision, there was no going back. We must respect that.”
Sanjay Bangar says Virat Kohli’s timing defines greatness
Praising the timing of Kohli’s Test retirement, Bangar said, “In our country, letting go is not always appreciated, but Virat chose the right moment. He retired when people were still asking, ‘Why’ now?’—and that’s often the hallmark of a great sportsman.”
Notably, Kohli was set to make his first appearance since retiring from Test cricket on May 7 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The atmosphere was emotional, with fans dressed in white to honor the legend’s unforgettable Test journey, but the rain had a different plan, as the match was washed out.
India loses three gems before England tour
Over 14 years in whites, Virat Kohli changed the face of Indian Test cricket and retired as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history. He brought energy, hunger, and a strong fitness culture into the team, making India one of the most feared Test teams in the world.
Before Kohli, Indian captain Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career ahead of the England tour. Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin stepped down mid-series during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. Currently, they are all involved in the IPL 2025.
After the conclusion of the IPL 2025, the Indian cricket team will travel to England for a five-match Test series, starting on June 20. The BCCI is all set to announce the new captain and squad for the tour next week.
![IPL 2025 [WATCH]: MI’s Hardik Pandya dismisses Virat Kohli and Liam Livingstone in one over to rattle RCB](https://i2.wp.com/crickettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MI-vs-RCB-2.webp?w=380&resize=380,220&ssl=1 "IPL 2025 [WATCH]: MI’s Hardik Pandya dismisses Virat Kohli and Liam Livingstone in one over to rattle RCB")
