Virat Kohli's Legacy Examined as India Prepares for West

Virat Kohli's enduring impact on Indian cricket is under fresh scrutiny as the team prepares for a three-match ODI series against the West Indies starting September 27. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has sparked debate by suggesting the batting great retired prematurely from Test cricket, while also sharing new insights into Kohli's early career and his unique bond with MS Dhoni.

Did Virat Kohli retire too early from Test cricket?

Sanjay Bangar believes he did. Speaking on DD Sports, the former all-rounder said Kohli should have played more Tests but chose to end his red-ball career after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to gain personal time. "I agree. I definitely say that. You should have played more," Bangar stated. Kohli finished with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 Tests. His final ten matches, however, yielded only 382 runs at an average of 22.47, despite a century in the first BGT 2024-25 Test. Bangar added that fans must respect the decision and enjoy Kohli's ongoing ODI contributions.

What was Sanjay Bangar's first impression of a young Virat Kohli?

Bangar first faced Kohli in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in February 2009. Playing for Railways, Bangar scored 56 but watched Kohli smash a match-winning 114 off 93 balls for Delhi. "He looked slightly overconfident. In a way, I liked it because a guy was owning his space," Bangar recalled. He noted Kohli's different body language and tremendous self-belief even before his India career fully took off. That chase in Agartala, where Delhi hunted down 306 with nine balls to spare, offered an early glimpse of the champion batter to come.

Why has Virat Kohli never left Royal Challengers Bengaluru?

Kohli's loyalty to RCB is legendary, and Bangar explained the reasons. Initially picked as a domestic player, Kohli's achievements eventually made the decision to stay his own. "He had so many achievements that the decision was always his," Bangar said. The analyst pointed to Bengaluru's appealing environment and the unwavering fan support, win or lose. Kohli is the IPL's all-time leading run-scorer with 9,336 runs in 275 innings. His legacy at the club now includes mentoring the current captain, Rajat Patidar, who has led RCB to back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026.

How did Kohli and MS Dhoni bond off the field?

According to Bangar, not much. He revealed their contrasting personalities limited off-field time. "MS Dhoni likes being in his room only... But Virat Kohli was somebody who always wanted to go out, go to new places or new restaurants. So I have rarely seen them spending time off the field," Bangar observed. Their professional relationship, however, was foundational. Bangar highlighted Dhoni's role as Kohli's first international captain, providing essential hand-holding and security for the young player.

How has Kohli's support shaped RCB's recent success?

Current RCB captain Rajat Patidar credits Kohli's backing as a key factor in his leadership. "If your idol backs you, then you don't need anything more," Patidar told Sports Launchpad. He described how Kohli's support gave him the confidence to handle the immense pressure of captaining a franchise with such a massive fan base. That faith was rewarded when Patidar led RCB to its maiden IPL crown in 2025, ending an 18-year wait, and successfully defended the title in 2026.

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli retired too soon from Tests after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series.
• Kohli's first-class career ended with 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches for India.
• His mentorship was vital for RCB captain Rajat Patidar, who has won two consecutive IPL titles.
• Kohli remains an automatic pick for India's ODI squad, with the West Indies series beginning September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram.