As the IPL 2025 heats up, cricket fans are still reflecting on one of the biggest recent milestones in Indian cricket - Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has provided a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, revealing that he spoke personally with Kohli before the announcement, and that the batting legend left the format with no regrets.

Speaking candidly on The ICC Review, Shastri described a heartfelt conversation with Kohli about a week before the star's retirement. "His mind was very clear that he'd given us everything," Shastri said. "There were no regrets. There were one or two questions I asked, and that's a personal conversation which, you know, he mentioned very clearly, there were no doubts in his mind, which made me think, 'Yes, the time is right'. The mind has told his body that it's time to go."

The former head coach's words reflect the maturity and self-awareness Kohli showed in making the difficult decision to step away from the longest format of the game. Despite the huge fanfare and expectations around him, Kohli prioritised his well-being and the bigger picture of his cricketing career. "He doesn't have regrets. Ideally, everyone might want [him] to carry on. But then, he looks at the bigger picture. He feels he can contribute massive in the one-day game. There's a lot of franchise cricket left for him in his life," said Shastri.

Kohli's Test career was nothing short of phenomenal. Over 14 years, he amassed 30 Test centuries in 123 matches and became India's most successful captain in the format. Yet, the relentless demands of juggling leadership, batting, and fielding at the highest level took their toll. Shastri explained the mental and physical pressure Kohli endured: "When the team goes out, it's as if he has to take all the wickets, he has to take all the catches, he has to make all the decisions on the field."

This level of involvement inevitably led to burnout. "If he doesn't take a rest, if he doesn't compartmentalise how much he wants to play across formats, there is bound to be a burnout. Well, it's happened now and he's pulled out of Test cricket. Unfortunate, because I still think he could have played two [more] years, but he's the boss. If his mind tells him that is enough, it's enough," Shastri reflected.

Beyond statistics and achievements, Kohli's impact on the Test format is also cultural. His fiery intensity and expressive celebrations on the field made him a magnetic figure who drew millions of viewers worldwide - sometimes sparking love-hate reactions. Shastri described this as part of Kohli's unique charm: "He just got people to watch the game. There was a love-hate relationship. They would get angry because he had the ability to get under the skin of the viewer also."

Kohli's passion was infectious, spreading excitement not just within the Indian dressing room but across cricket fans' living rooms globally. "His intensity was such that it was like a rash. It spread very quickly, not just within the dressing room, but within living rooms as well for people watching cricket. So he was an infectious personality. That's something I'll remember," Shastri added.

As IPL 2025 showcases Kohli's continued brilliance in the shorter formats, the cricketing world eagerly watches his journey in ODIs and franchise cricket, where Shastri believes Kohli still has a massive role to play. The Test chapter may have closed, but for Kohli, the story is far from over.