Virat Kohli opens up on Test retirement for first time since breaking hearts: ‘When you colour your beard every 4 days…’

By Admin

09 Jul, 2025

On July 8, 2025, the cricketing world paused to listen as Virat Kohli, for the first time since his retirement from Test cricket, opened up publicly about his decision. The moment unfolded at a charity event in London organised by his close friend and former teammate Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation. Attended by cricket legends like Ravi Shastri, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, Darren Gough, and the current Indian squad, the evening was filled with nostalgia, laughter, and reflection.

A Light-Hearted Yet Emotional Moment

Urged by host Gaurav Kapur to join the stage, Kohli walked up amidst loud cheers and let his words flow with humility and humour. "I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are colouring your beard every four days," Kohli joked, subtly pointing to the passage of time and the wisdom that often comes with it.

This was the first time Kohli spoke about his decision since he announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12 via an emotional Instagram post. “As I step away from this format, it's not easy – but it feels right,” he had written. “I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for.”

A Glorious Test Career Comes to an End

Kohli’s Test career was nothing short of legendary. In 123 matches, he scored 9,230 runs from 210 innings at an impressive average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.58. His tally includes 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and a record-breaking 7 double centuries – the most by any Indian batsman. His highest score remains an unforgettable 254. He also played a crucial role in India’s overseas dominance, notably leading India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia during the 2018–19 tour.

Kohli’s retirement followed that of Rohit Sharma, who stepped away from red-ball cricket just five days earlier. Since then, Kohli had maintained a low profile, avoiding any cricket-related commentary – until now.

Applauding the Future: Shubman Gill

The King, however, couldn’t stay silent for long. He recently broke his silence on cricket matters by applauding new Indian Test captain Shubman Gill. Kohli congratulated Gill on his record-shattering 269-run knock against England, calling him a “star boy” and wishing him success as the new torchbearer of Indian Test cricket. His message came after India’s dominant 336-run win, which levelled the five-match series against England.

Reunions, Reflections, and Wimbledon Sightings

Kohli was in a cheerful mood at the charity event, catching up with former teammates and familiar faces from global cricket. He was also recently seen with wife Anushka Sharma attending the Wimbledon Round of 16 match between Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur – enjoying his time away from the pitch.

Remembering the Bond with Yuvraj Singh

The evening also became a platform for Kohli to reminisce about his friendship with Yuvraj Singh. “We shared a very good bond both on and off the field,” Kohli said warmly. “When I started playing for India, he, Bhajju Pa (Harbhajan Singh), and Zaheer Khan really took me under their wings. They helped me grow, guided me about life at the top, and made me feel welcome in the dressing room.”

Reflecting on Yuvraj’s cancer battle, Kohli added, “We had no idea he was going through something so serious. What he achieved during the 2011 World Cup and how he fought back… it's nothing short of inspirational. Watching him make a comeback while I was leading the team was a proud and emotional moment for me.”