Newly retired from the Test cricket format, Indian icon Virat Kohli had a laugh at his own expense while talking about his Test retirement at Yuvraj Singh’s fundraiser in London this week.
Kohli, who now resides in the United Kingdom capital, made a quick dash to the YouWeCan cancer fundraiser after being spotted at Wimbledon, where he looked suave and stylish in a brown suit.
With the Indian team also in the house, the event presenter made a reference to Kohli not being part of the squad, having announced his retirement ahead of the England tour. “We miss you on the field, man,” said presenter Gaurav Kapur.
With Ravi Shastri, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and Yuvraj Singh himself standing next to Kohli, the Indian superstar took a pause before responding, “I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you’re colouring your beard every four days; it’s time to relax.”
Kohli came in the middle of the London fundraiser and was clearly the showstopper.
He also spoke about his bond with Shastri, who was the head coach for India when Kohli took the Test team to new heights. “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.”
Kohli said about Shastri, “[If] 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.”
Shastri returned the compliment, calling Kohli the most influential cricketer of the past 15 years. “You win World Cups and other things, but for him to take the red ball cricket to the next level was something he wanted. Once he decided his mantra for success, the others had to follow,” said the former head coach.
“If India is playing a [high] level of Test match cricket today, especially the younger generation that played under him, they should thank him. Even world cricket should thank him. With India playing well in Test cricket, the bucks came in, the BCCI got their chunk and rightly so,” said Shastri about Kohli.
“…He is the most influential [player] of the last decade or so,” said the former India head coach, referring to the country’s most successful captain in Test cricket.
Heartfelt Instagram post by Virat Kohli
Announcing his decision to retire from Test cricket, Virat Kohli had written a heartfelt Instagram post about eight weeks ago. The post said:
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.
“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.
“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.
“#269, signing off.”
