Given his fitness & form, Kohli could have continued

I have known Virat Kohli from 2006. We went to England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka during my stint as the head coach of the U-19 India team.

- Lalchand Rajput

I recently met him in Dubai during the 2025 Champions Trophy. As I am the UAE coach, he requested me to make a few left-arm and leg spinners available. We provided him with three or four bowlers and he faced them in the nets. Next day he scored a century (against Pakistan).

Mostly we had personal conversations. He was enjoying his game, so I was really shocked to learn about his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. But we must respect his decision; he must have some other things in his mind. But, according to me, given his fitness and the way he is playing now, if you look at his form in the IPL, he could have continued.

We have been in constant touch, but so far I have not spoken to him about his decision. He must be flooded with calls and messages, and I am also busy in the Netherlands as UAE is playing matches here. We have a good rapport, and to be honest, he is very open to me. It showed when he approached me after not having a good tour of England in 2014. I was the head coach of the specialized batting academy of the National Cricket Academy then.