Virat Kohli Opens Up on Test Retirement for the First Time: “You Know It’s Time When You’re Colouring Your Beard Every Four Days”

Nearly two months after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli publicly reflected on the decision for the first time on July 8, 2025, during a charity event in London hosted by Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation. The event brought together cricketing icons past and present, including members of the current Indian team.

Kohli, known for his wit, used a light-hearted remark about his beard to allude to aging and the timing of his exit from the longest format.

“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” Kohli quipped, responding to host Gaurav Kapur’s invitation to join Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, and Darren Gough on stage.

Looking Back on a Glorious Test Career

Kohli had announced his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, via a heartfelt Instagram post, saying:

“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.”

Kohli leaves behind a storied legacy in red-ball cricket:

• 123 Tests,

• 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85,

• 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and 7 double hundreds,

• A highest score of 254,

• Over 1,000 boundaries, and

• The most double centuries by an Indian in Test cricket.

He was also the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018–19), a milestone that cemented his place as one of India’s finest red-ball leaders.

Support for Shubman Gill and Joy Over India’s Victory

Kohli’s public appearance and comments also marked his return to cricketing discourse, following a period of silence after his and Rohit Sharma’s back-to-back retirements from Test cricket. Kohli congratulated Shubman Gill, India’s new Test captain, calling him a “star boy” after Gill’s sensational 269-run innings against England that helped level the series 1–1.

“So proud of what Shubman has achieved. The way he’s carrying the team forward is truly exciting,” said Kohli.

Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma were also seen enjoying their time in London, attending the Wimbledon Round of 16 match between Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur.

A Bond Beyond Cricket: Kohli on Yuvraj Singh

Kohli spoke fondly of Yuvraj Singh, his former teammate and 2011 World Cup-winning partner:

“I met Yuvi for the first time at a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I joined the Indian team, he, Bhajju Pa [Harbhajan Singh], and Zak [Zaheer Khan] took me under their wing. They made me feel at home. The memories we made on and off the field — those are for life.”

Kohli also recalled the emotional journey of Yuvraj’s battle with cancer and his triumphant return:

“We didn’t even know what he was going through during the 2011 World Cup. And then the shock… but he came back like a true champion when I was captain. That spirit is something I’ll never forget.”

The End of an Era, the Start of a New One

As India moves into a new chapter of Test cricket under the leadership of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli’s farewell leaves behind not just staggering statistics, but also a legacy of passion, resilience, and fierce commitment to the red-ball game — a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.