Virat Kohli Opens Up on Test Retirement: “Time to Hang Up the Boots When You’re Colouring Your Beard
At a charity event for Yuvraj Singh’s You We Can foundation, Virat Kohli speaks for the first time about his Test retirement, reflecting on his career and bonds with cricketing legends.
Virat Kohli, who stunned the cricketing world with his Test retirement announcement on May 12, 2025, at age 36, broke his silence on the decision during a heartfelt speech at a charity event for Yuvraj Singh’s YouWeCan foundation. Joined by cricketing icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, and India’s current team led by coach Gautam Gambhir, Kohli shared candid insights into his career and the emotional weight of stepping away from Test cricket.
Prompted by host Gaurav Kapoor, who noted fans’ longing for Kohli on the field, the former India captain quipped, “I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you’re colouring your beard every four days,” drawing laughter and applause, as reported by the Times of India. The lighthearted remark belied the gravity of his decision to retire from the format where he amassed 8,848 runs, including 29 centuries, across 113 Tests.
Kohli expressed deep gratitude to former coach Ravi Shastri, crediting him for his Test career’s success. “The clarity we had together is very hard to find. He took the bullets from the front line in press conferences,” Kohli said, highlighting Shastri’s role in shielding him early on. He also reminisced about his bonds with teammates like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan, who mentored him during his debut years. “They took me under their wings, made me comfortable, and showed me the lifestyle of getting to the top,” he said.
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Recalling Yuvraj’s resilience, Kohli shared memories of the 2011 World Cup and Yuvraj’s cancer battle, which was a “shock” to the team. He praised Yuvraj’s comeback, particularly a 2017 Cuttack ODI where Yuvraj (150) and MS Dhoni (110) powered India after an early collapse. “It was like childhood days watching on a big TV,” Kohli said, underscoring his admiration for Yuvraj, whom he described as the reason for attending the event.
The gathering, attended by cricket luminaries and the current Indian team, celebrated Kohli’s legacy while highlighting his enduring connection to the game through philanthropy and mentorship, even as he steps away from Test cricket.
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