Nearly two months after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Virat Kohli has spoken publicly about his decision for the first time. The legendary Indian cricketer shared his thoughts on July 8, 2025, at a charity event hosted by former teammate Yuvraj Singh in London for the YouWeCan Foundation.
The event saw a star-studded gathering that included cricketing greats like Ravi Shastri, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and members of the current Indian squad. Kohli’s comments offered a personal and humorous reflection on his retirement, as he quipped:
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days.”
The remark came when Kohli was encouraged by host Gaurav Kapur to join the legends on stage, adding a light-hearted tone to an otherwise emotional topic.
Looking Back at a Glorious Test Career
Kohli had officially announced his Test retirement on May 12 via Instagram, penning an emotional message about his journey in red-ball cricket.
“It’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.”
Kohli ended his Test career with 123 matches, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 half-centuries at an average of 46.85. His tally of 7 double hundreds remains the most by an Indian in Tests. Under his captaincy, India registered their first-ever Test series win in Australia (2018–19), cementing his legacy as one of India’s greatest red-ball cricketers.
Passing the Baton: Kohli Praises Shubman Gill
Kohli’s retirement came shortly after Rohit Sharma also stepped away from the Test format. Since then, Kohli had remained largely silent on cricketing matters—until this week.
Breaking that silence, he congratulated Shubman Gill, India’s new Test captain, for his historic 269-run knock against England in the second Test. Kohli hailed Gill as a “star boy”, adding that he was thrilled to see India level the series with a commanding 336-run win.
Off the Field: Wimbledon & Reunions
Kohli and wife Anushka Sharma were also seen attending the Wimbledon Round of 16 match between Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur, showcasing his shift to enjoying life off the field.
At the London event, Kohli was seen catching up with former teammates and rivals, reminiscing about old times—especially with Yuvraj Singh.
“We shared a special bond both on and off the field,” Kohli said, recalling how Yuvraj, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan helped him feel at home in the Indian dressing room.
He also touched on Yuvraj’s inspiring journey through cancer and his incredible comeback to the Indian side under Kohli’s captaincy.
Gill Rises, Brook Tops ICC Test Rankings
India’s new skipper Shubman Gill continues to make headlines. After scores of 269 and 161 in the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill entered the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings Top 10 for the first time, soaring to No. 6 from No. 23.
With 585 runs from just two matches, Gill is now the only second batter in Test history to score 150+ in both innings of a match. His previous best ranking was 14th in September 2023.
Meanwhile, England’s Harry Brook climbed to the No. 1 spot in Test rankings after his 158-run knock, displacing Joe Root, who dropped to second following a rare failure in both innings at Birmingham.
