India, May 16 -- Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, on Thursday, laid bare his discussion with Virat Kohli just a week before his shock retirement from Test cricket. Shastri revealed that although the decision "surprised" him still, Kohli's responses during that chat made him realise the time was right for him to leave the format.

On Monday afternoon, just five days after Rohit Sharma drew curtains on his career in Test cricket, Kohli did the same, ending days of sudden speculation with a confirmation post on Instagram. The 36-year-old. hence, ended his career as the fourth-highest run-getter for India in Test cricket with 9230 runs, comprising 30 centuries.

In the days following the announcement, the media reported that Kohli had re...