Virat Kohli has finally opened up about his Test retirement for the first time since his announcement left millions of Indian fans heartbroken. He shared his thoughts at a charity event organized by Yuvraj Singh’s foundation, YouWeCan. Virat Kohli was seen catching up with cricket legends, including his old RCB teammate Chris Gayle.
Virat Kohli Breaks Silence on Test Retirement
The whole Indian cricket team, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, was also there. The event brought together some of the biggest names in the sport, like Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Brian Lara, and Ashish Nehra.
When host Gaurav Kapoor called Virat Kohli up on stage, he managed to get a rare reaction from the cricket star about his Test retirement. Gaurav mentioned how much everyone misses seeing Virat on the field, and that’s when Virat Kohli finally opened up and broke his silence on the topic.
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” said Virat Kohli, as per the Times of India.
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Virat Kohli’s close bond with his former head coach Ravi Shastri is well known. At the event, Virat Kohli took a moment to once again thank Ravi Shastri for always having his back during the early days of his career. He credited Ravi Shastri for guiding and supporting him in a way that helped shape the cricketer he eventually became.
“Honestly, if I wasn’t working with him… what happened in Test cricket wouldn’t have been possible. The clarity which we had together is very hard to find. It’s everything for cricketers to grow in their careers. Even he hadn’t backed me the way he did… those press conferences where he took the bullets from the front line. Things would have been different and I always have respect and regard for him, for being a massive part of my cricketing journey,” Virat Kohli said.
Virat Kohli Recalls Iconic 2017 Century Stand by Yuvi and Dhoni
Virat Kohli also looked back on his early days in the Indian team, remembering what it was like to share the dressing room with big names like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan.
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“We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. I met him for the first time during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I started playing for India, him, bhajju pa and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings. Really helped me grow as a player, made me comfortable in the dressing room. Lot of fun times off the field and made me aware of the lifestyle of getting to the top. These are the bonds I would cherish for the rest of my life. Watching him in the World Cup was very special and what we got to know after that was a shock. Being so close to him… we had no idea. Then his battle with cancer and again the champion that he is… coming on top and making a comeback to the team when I was leading the team.”
Virat Kohli also fondly remembered the 2017 series when both Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni scored brilliant centuries after the top-order had collapsed early in the innings.
“I clearly remember we played a game against England in Cuttack. There was a 2017 series we played at home and top-order got out early and Yuvi pa got 150 I think and MS scored 110 or something. I still remember telling KL or someone that this is like childhood days watching on big tv… I have a lot of love and respect for him. It’s a pleasure being here and I won’t do it for any other person but him,”
Meanwhile, fans on social media trolled Virat Kohli for his statement on his sudden Test retirement. Check out the reactions of the fans:
After quitting Chole bhature, maintaining a tasteless diet and becoming a fitness monster, Kohli retired at 36 because his beard became white 🤡 pic.twitter.com/eIZV6RYpN7
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) July 9, 2025
Virat Kohli: My beard is turning grey, so it was time to retire
Fans: pic.twitter.com/uy9HcOGbol
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) July 9, 2025
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Virat Kohli Test retirement criteria:
– Beard was white.
– Spinners turned the ball.
– Pacers swung the ball.
– Quality of tea served.
– Temperature of the Sun.
– Weather on Mars. pic.twitter.com/o3qQrz760K— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) July 9, 2025
Sachin played without beard and lara played with bald head
— ` (@steynvirat) July 9, 2025
https://twitter.com/steynvirat/status/1942830446511116548
Kohli retired the moment he noticed his grey beard. And you aren’t retiring even after heavy hair fall.
— Aman (@AmanHasNoName_2) July 9, 2025
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