On the opening day of India’s ODI series against New Zealand in Auckland, former Black Caps wicketkeeper-turned-commentator Ian Smith revealed that he was very disappointed when Kohli retired from Test cricket and his words went viral across social media. A year and a half after Virat Kohli walked away from Test cricket, the disappointment refuses to fade for plenty of fans and former players. The latest comments from Ian Smith show much respect the former Indian captain has earned in red ball cricket.
“I gotta be honest when Virat Kohli announced his retirement from test cricket, I was very disappointed. Because Virat Kohli’s test hundred is something to look at, so I was really really disappointed when he said I’m not gonna play test cricket anymore.” Smith said on Sony Sports.
Rain interruptions during India’s chase revised the target under the DLS method from 186 to 143 in 32 overs. Rohit Sharma fell for a duck in the first over, but Kohli and Gill steadied the innings with a 113-run second-wicket partnership. Kohli raced to his 80th ODI fifty off just 35 balls. He finished with 74 off 51 deliveries (13 fours, one six) at a strike rate of 145 before being dismissed. Gill contributed a patient. KL Rahul and Naman Dhir were unbeaten in the end as India picked up a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI at Eden Park.
Ian Smith’s comments bring Virat Kohli’s Test cricket legacy back into focus
The timing made the comment by Ian Smith harder to ignore. Kohli who is set to turn 38 soon had just produced a classy 74 in the chase at Eden Park, looking every bit the batsman who once made Test centuries feel inevitable. Watching him still dominate white-ball cricket only sharpened the sense of what Test cricket had lost. Kohli retired from the longest format in May 2025 after 123 Tests, 9,230 runs and 30 centuries at an average of 46.85.
Even Kohli himself has since reminded everyone how deeply he valued the format. After Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won the IPL, he said the triumph still sat “five levels under Test cricket.” That is how much he loved red ball cricket. He captained India in 68 of those matches and led them to 40 victories, more than any other Indian skipper.
