Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has penned an emotional tribute to Virat Kohli’s impact on Indian Test cricket, days after the star batter announced his retirement from the longest format. Writing in a guest column for Sportstar, Shastri called Kohli’s legacy “a lasting reset” that reshaped the team’s culture, mindset, and fitness standards. "He didn’t just win matches. He rewired India. He brought confidence, aggression and work ethic to the table. He made India believe that it could not just compete but beat anyone in the world. That belief is now permanently installed," Shastri wrote. Shastri, who worked closely with Kohli during India’s rise in the Test ranking, credited the former captain for his relentless commitment to fitness and intensity. According to him, Kohli's transformation of the dressing room went beyond tactics and scoreboards. “He was the energiser of the unit,” Shastri added. “His personal commitment to fitness was so strong that it became a cultural reset in the Indian team.” Shastri also praised Kohli’s aggressive attitude and his ability to rally players around a shared goal. He compared the dressing room atmosphere under Kohli’s leadership to that of the legendary Steve Waugh-era Australian side, saying there was no space for mediocrity. “The moment you walked in, you had to be on the money,” Shastri wrote. “That dressing room became a beast. It demanded more. It did not tolerate laziness, shortcuts or excuses.” Also READ: Mumbai Indians announce replacement for Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch Kohli leaves behind a legacy of belief, says ex-coach While Kohli’s decision to retire from Tests during the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict has sparked speculation and emotional reactions, Shastri steered clear of politics. Instead, he focused on how Kohli helped restore pride in Indian Test cricket, especially abroad. “He made the world respect Indian cricket in the red-ball format,” the former coach wrote. “There was a time when India was bullied overseas. He changed that.” Shastri further said that Kohli gave Indian fans a new brand of Test cricket, one that was unapologetically competitive. He recalled memorable overseas wins during their time together, especially in Australia and England. “There was an identity to how India played: aggressive, confident, and never backing down,” he noted. Also READ: "Most talented but didn't work on his fitness": Ex-England star's blunt take on Rohit Sharma Kohli retired as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches and was a pivotal figure in India’s two consecutive Test series wins in Australia. His last Test century came against South Africa in 2022, but Shastri said Kohli’s value went far beyond personal milestones. “He showed a generation what was possible when you commit yourself completely. That is the legacy,” Shastri concluded.