‘I’m done with it’: Virat Kohli gives clear verdict on Test return

Virat Kohli has ruled out any possibility of a return to Test cricket, joking during the launch of his new range of footwear that he would rather sell the product below cost than come back and add more runs to his Test haul.The former India captain, who retired from Test cricket last year after scoring 9,230 runs, was attending the world premiere of his One8 footwear range when he was asked a light-hearted question about a comeback in white.The red colored boot has been priced in line with Kohli’s Test, leading to suggestions that he could return to the longest format and add more value to the product. However, Kohli quickly dismissed the idea with a smile.“I’d rather sell myself short. I’m done with it (Test cricket),” he said, prompting laughter from those present.While the exchange provided a humorous moment, Kohli also spoke at length about the mindset that has defined his career. The batting great explained that he has always been driven by the belief that a match is never over until the final result is decided, no matter how complicated the situation looks.To illustrate this mentality, Kohli pointed to India’s memorable victory over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne, a match in which he produced one of the best innings of his career.“I’m built that way. I almost crave situations where people feel like it’s gone, and then somehow manage to pull the game back.”“That’s how I look at situations from a very young age. And until the very end, I didn’t stop believing that the game was lost or we couldn’t win. And some magical things happened.”“One incident that will always stand out for me is the match against Pakistan in Melbourne. I was told later that the chance of winning was about 3% or so. But I never thought like that. Even 1% is enough. If there’s a chance, there’s a chance. So you’re never done until you lose the match,” Kohli said.The 37-year-old also reflected on how his personality has evolved over the years. Known for his fiery and aggressive approach during the early stages of his international career, Kohli believes his younger self would be surprised by the calmness he now carries.“He probably didn’t imagine him being so calm. He probably expected him to be still boisterous and noisy.”“Things have gone well, when I look at what we’re doing where, I’m going to have a sense of pride. A sense of walking into any room with my head held high. No hesitation in who I am and what I’m trying to do.”“Just follow your vision and your heart and have the conviction that I’m doing it. Those are the things I would be proud of.”Kohli continues to be a major force in Indian cricket despite leaving the Test arena. Now a one-format international, he recently added another major achievement to his glittering career by helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru secure their second consecutive IPL title.Although Kohli is embracing a different phase in his journey, his competitive spirit and unwavering confidence remain as strong as ever.