Ravichandran Ashwin recently praised top batsman Virat Kohli during a public appearance at the Trailblazers Conclave event. The off-spinner described Virat as a pioneer for the Indian national cricket team in the longest format and credited him for bringing new audiences to red-ball cricket in the last decade.
His comments come a year after the right-handed batsman announced his retirement from Test cricket. Kohli ended his Test career in May 2025 against England ahead of the 2025 Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. It is noteworthy that before his retirement, he had returned after playing Ranji Trophy match for Delhi.
Virat Kohli was the pioneer of Test team – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking at the event, Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged the encouragement he has received for Test cricket from Virat Kohli. He also reminded fans that long-term success requires an entire team effort rather than relying on individual talent.
Ashwin said, “Virat Kohli was the pioneer of the Test team. That’s why a lot of people started following Test cricket as well. But a Test team can’t be just one or two individuals. A team that builds a legacy over a decade means more than individuals. I think we focus too much on personalities.”
Virat Kohli ends Test career with over 9,000 runs for India
Virat Kohli bid farewell to Test cricket with a detailed social media message last May. His final red-ball assignment came during the five-match series against Australia in late 2024, where the former captain continued to struggle for form.
In the series opener in Perth, Kohli scored a century in the second innings. However, he could only score 90 runs in the remaining matches and finished the tour with 190 runs.
Since making his debut against West Indies in Kingston in 2011, Kohli has played 123 Test matches for India. He scored 9,230 runs in different conditions at an average of 46.85.
This Delhi-born cricketer scored 31 half-centuries and 30 centuries. His highest score was 254 not out against South Africa in a 2019 home match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Many people may have different opinions about Gautam Gambhir – Ravichandran Ashwin
During the same discussion, Ravichandran Ashwin also spoke openly about India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. He appreciated Gambhir’s coaching philosophy in the dressing room. Ashwin said Gambhir consistently focuses on prioritizing the team over individuals.
“I like Gautam (Gambhir), and many people may have different opinions about him, but he is someone who always puts the team ahead of individuals. He gives credit not to individuals but to the team and that is something I like.”
Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach and developed a team-first culture. The Indian national cricket team is now entering a new era.
However, the Men in Blue suffered two whitewash series defeats against New Zealand and South Africa on home soil. They also failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
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