"He was so much more than the numbers": Nasser Hussain speaks on Virat's Test retirement

Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Kohli on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, emphasizing his fierce spirit and connection with fans.

Nasser Hussain speaks on Virat's retirement

Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket on May 12 took the cricketing world by surprise. For fans, teammates, and even rivals, it marked the end of an era. Among the many tributes pouring in, one particularly emotional one came from former England captain Nasser Hussain, a long-time admirer of Kohli's fierce spirit and unmatched passion.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Hussain didn’t just talk about Kohli the cricketer, he talked about Kohli the symbol, the heartbeat of Indian cricket for well over a decade.

“I’ve been a massive Virat Kohli fan for the last 14 years,” Hussain said. “Sure, his numbers are phenomenal, but he was so much more than that. It was the way he carried himself — the aura, the confidence, the raw emotion. You could feel how much the game meant to him every time he stepped onto the field.”

For Hussain, what made Kohli special wasn’t just his ability to rack up centuries or win matches, it was the connection he had with the fans. “In India, cricket is everything. And fans want their captain to reflect that. With Kohli, you never had to wonder if he cared. He wore that passion on his sleeve.”

Throughout his career, Kohli was known for his intense presence, especially in high-pressure moments. Whether it was chasing down a daunting total or motivating his teammates, his energy was contagious. But that same intensity, Hussain believes, may have also played a part in his decision to step away from Test cricket.

“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Hussain said. “He doesn’t do things half-heartedly. Every time he takes the field, he gives his all. Maybe that’s why he chose to walk away, he didn’t want to be just another player going through the motions.”

While Kohli’s recent red-ball form wasn’t at its peak, Hussain doesn’t see that as a reason to downplay his impact. In fact, he credits Kohli for reshaping Indian cricket into the powerhouse it is today.

“He raised the bar fitness, mindset, professionalism. He made India believe they could win anywhere in the world. That’s a legacy few can claim,” Hussain said.

As India prepares for a tough tour of England starting June 20, they’ll do so without Kohli and another giant of the game, Rohit Sharma. It’s a big shift, and the team will be looking to fill not just a statistical gap but a massive leadership void.

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