'That may have...': Nasser Hussain weighs-in on Virat Kohli's retirement, salutes IND legend's 'aura, swagger, passion'

Nasser Hussain weighs-in on Virat Kohli's retirement (BCCI Photo)

Remarking that Virat Kohli had revolutionized Indian Test cricket with his unparalleled "aura, swagger, and passion," former England captain Nasser Hussain offered a new perspective on the reasons for the legendary Indian cricketer's retirement from Test cricket. Several former players felt he could have continued for at least another two years. Hussain gave careful thought to the enormous influence Kohli had on the game as he said goodbye to the format on Monday, putting an end to a stellar 14-year career.

Following Rohit Sharma's choice to retire from Tests, Kohli's decision comes at a time that adds emotional weight to the news. The announcement by the premier batters came in the space of five days, also leaving a huge void in the team ahead of five important Test matches in England.

With 9,230 runs from 123 games, Kohli finished his career as India's fourth-highest run scorer in Tests. He leaves a lasting impact as a captain and player. India won 40 of 68 Test matches and held the top spot in ICC rankings for 42 months under Kohli's leadership, which puts him on top of the pedestal among India's most successful captains.

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"I have been a massive Virat Kohli fan over the last 14 years – his stats speak for themselves – but he was so much more than that. It was his aura, swagger, and passion. We know Indian cricket fans, and the game means so much to them. They want their captain to show them what it means to the team, and no one embodied that passion for cricket in India more than Kohli. He was an unbelievable player. He took India to No. 1 in the world, and they stayed there for about 42 months. He completely changed the way they play cricket. Whoever takes on that mantle has got something to live up to," said Hussain while speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

Kohli scored 30 Test hundreds and was at par with cricketing heavyweights Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, and the group was collectively referred as the "Fab 4".

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Hussain claimed that Kohli felt that being a "normal cricketer" was unacceptable, which may have contributed to his decision to retire, just 770 runs short of reaching 10,000 Test runs.

“He is the ultimate winner, he sees the end goal as a win, and he is desperate for that. Everything for Kohli is about winning. Why do you think he's so good in run chases? He can't go on the field and not be a hundred percent, he can't ever go: 'I'll just do my best today'. That may have formed part of his retirement decision, he doesn't want to be a normal cricketer, just doing a little bit here and there. He made India into the force they are today,” added Hussain.