• Source:JND
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Sports News: Talismanic India batter Virat Kohli decided to hang up his boots from his most revered in the month of May as it came as a shock to Cricket fans around the world. At an event organised by former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh to raise funds for YouWeCan Foundation in London, Kohli opened up on his retirement in the most candid manner. Jokingly, Kohli used his beard colour reference as he reiterated his stance to draw the curtains on a glorious Test career.

"I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are colouring your beard every four days," said Kohli when insisted by Gaurav Kapur to join Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle and Darren Gough on the stage.

On May 12, Kohli took to Instagram to write a lengthy Instagram post, announcing his retirement from Test cricket, a format he vouched for right through his career. "As I step away from this format, 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. I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude -- for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile."

Kohli, one of India's most iconic cricketers, retired from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, concluding a remarkable career of 123 Tests. From 210 innings, he amassed 9,230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.58. His Test career is highlighted by 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, including 7 double hundreds, with a highest score of 254 not out. His seven double centuries stand as the most by an Indian batsman in Test history. Additionally, Kohli struck 1,027 fours and 30 sixes in the longest format. A pivotal figure in India’s overseas successes, he notably became the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018–19).

Kohli's retirement came just five days after his long-time teammate and captain, Rohit Sharma, also called time on his red-ball career on May 7, 2025.

Since his retirement from Tests (and T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup), Kohli had largely refrained from commenting on cricketing affairs. However, he ended this hiatus by publicly congratulating the new India Test captain, Shubman Gill, on his record-breaking 269-run knock against England in the second Test. Gill's magnificent innings, scored at Edgbaston between July 2-6, 2025, played a crucial role in India's series-levelling victory.