Virat Kohli has emphatically ruled out a return to Test cricket, jokingly stating he would rather undersell his newly launched shoe than don the traditional whites again. Speaking at the global premiere of his One8 brand in New Delhi, the Indian cricket superstar drew laughter from the crowd when asked if he might consider a Test comeback to boost sales of the red-coloured shoe inspired by his commitment to the longest format.
Kohli's One-Format Status
Kohli, who retired from Test cricket last year with 9230 runs, has now become a one-format player, focusing solely on limited-overs cricket. He revealed that he priced his shoe at par with his Test runs, a playful nod to his career. When a reporter jokingly suggested he could return to Test cricket to increase the shoe's profitability, Kohli responded, “I would rather undersell. I am done with it (Test cricket).”
Never-Say-Die Attitude
During the interaction, Kohli also reflected on his never-say-die attitude, citing his match-winning effort against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia as a prime example. “I’m made this way. I almost crave situations when people feel like it’s gone and then somehow you can manage to pull the game back,” he said. “One incident for me that will always stand out is that game against Pakistan in Melbourne. I was told later, chances of winning the game was like 3% or something. But I never thought like that. Even 1% is enough. If there is a chance, there is a chance. So, you’re never really done until you lose the game.”
Evolution from Brash to Calm
Kohli, known in his early years for his in-your-face approach and brashness, was asked if his 18-year-old self would be surprised by a specific trait in his current personality. He admitted, “Probably he could not imagine himself being this calm. Would probably expect him to be boisterous and rowdy still.” He added that things have turned out well, and he feels a sense of pride. “I would walk into any room with my head held high. Not be hesitant about who I am and what I am trying to do. Just follow my vision and heart and have the conviction to be doing so. These are things I would be proud of.”
Recent On-Field Success
Despite retiring from Tests, Kohli has maintained remarkable consistency with the bat in limited-overs cricket. He recently guided Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a back-to-back Indian Premier League (IPL) title, further cementing his legacy as one of the game's greats. The 37-year-old continues to be a key player for India in ODIs and T20Is, with his focus now entirely on white-ball cricket.
