“ODI retirement is loading": Virat Kohli’s latest look triggers panic among Indian Cricket fans

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has once again set social media on fire, but this time for his unrecognizable look. The latest photo of Virat Kohli, clicked in London with a man called Shash Patel, has left many stunned and even emotional on Friday, August 8.

The 36-year-old batting maestro looked dramatically different in the viral image. In the viral photo, Kohli was visibly seen aged with a grey beard and almost unrecognizable at first glance, prompting fans to wonder whether the countdown to his complete retirement from the game has begun.

Virat Kohli's unrecognizable photo goes viral

His surprising look comes just weeks after his last public appearance at a celebratory event hosted by Yuvraj Singh on July 10, where Kohli made an honest revelation about his Test retirement. At that same event, the former Indian captain made a cheeky comment about dyeing his beard every few days, which many now believe was more than just a joke.

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But it appears the reality was already setting in, and age is catching up with two contrasting looks of him in his past two appearances. Fans, who love Kohli’s passion, intensity, and unmatched hunger for runs, are now facing the difficult truth that their hero is growing older.

Virat Kohli's grey-beard look sparks ODI retirement buzz

This isn’t the first time Kohli’s salt-and-pepper beard has made headlines. Back in July 2023, a post with wife Anushka Sharma had also attracted attention for the same reason. But this time, the reactions are far more intense. After the latest photo, fans are speculating that Kohli’s retirement is loading, as he has already stepped away from Test and T20I cricket.

While some fans took to social media to urge Kohli not to retire from ODIs just yet, others are already preparing for an emotional goodbye. Many expressed heartbreak after seeing their favorite cricketer hero accepting the reality and moving forward, fearing a big call soon.

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Here's how fans react to Virat Kohli's viral photo in London:

Virat Kohli was spotted on the streets of London with Bollywood actor Shashi Kiran.

- Seeing Virat’s white beard, it felt as though an era was coming to an end. The BCCI is set to discuss his ODI career with the 36-year-old Kohli. This news has been deliberately circulated in… pic.twitter.com/ksOf6fUohv

— Honest Cricket Fan's (@maddiess18) August 8, 2025

He didn’t even colour his beard now. ODI retirement loading !!

— The last dance (@26lastdance) August 8, 2025

Virat Kohli with Shash Kiran in the UK. pic.twitter.com/Y9JoWrO1Gl

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 8, 2025

If you have to color your beard every four days, that’s when you know — Virat Kohli wasn’t wrong. 🥺 pic.twitter.com/OA59VyeCJx

— Ishi.❤️ (@ishi_178) August 7, 2025

White beard! pic.twitter.com/UCCFSL392d

— Virat Kohli FanTeam (@ViratFanTeam) August 8, 2025

Whether you are Virat Kohli or laborer Ramesh, you cannot stop the problem of hair fall and greying 😭 pic.twitter.com/OatCuo8xJV

— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) August 8, 2025

Kohli bhai beard colour kar lo 😭 pic.twitter.com/nSiVvtEWuy

— ` (@viratkohli_un) August 8, 2025

Whether you are Virat Kohli or laborer Ramesh, you cannot stop the problem of hair fall and greying 😭 pic.twitter.com/OatCuo8xJV

— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) August 8, 2025

Virat kohli looks like 40

— Cricket addict (@Cricketadd75277) August 8, 2025

what's the use of leaving butter chicken and having title of fittest cricketer 😭😭 why bro why #ViratKohli you make ads of those trimmers can't you get that one and take retirement back pic.twitter.com/NXmdFTLNNG

— GKLNX (@editzpace95994) August 8, 2025

It's really painful to see🥺💔 #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/ZQgzOSTIaZ

— Faishal khan 🇮🇳 (@faishal6447) August 8, 2025

Na white hair kanna anna ki white bread gurinche ekkuva badhapadutuna 😭💔
Can't see our childhood heroes getting old @imVkohli #ViratKohli #whiteberad #testcricket pic.twitter.com/k7y4Zxi8ok

— Luffy (@bcci_banisa) August 8, 2025

Yes that's how fast time flies.
He came, he conquered, he left.#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/tu2AgCeYey

— CricketAdda🇮🇳(Cricket Panchayat) (@Criktalks) August 8, 2025

Childhood all but over seeing our King getting old🥹#ViratKohli #Cricket pic.twitter.com/dI0VmQSz3I

— Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) August 8, 2025

ODI Retirement loading?#ViratKohli #Whitebeard pic.twitter.com/3BGmGmQAp4

— H🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Kohlination82) August 8, 2025

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket in May 2025 shocked fans, especially as it came less than a year after he quit T20Is following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in the USA and the West Indies. He announced his Test retirement just before the England tour.

The right-handed batter was expected to return to India colors this month, but the postponement of India’s Bangladesh tour delayed his comeback. Now, he is expected to feature in India’s limited-overs tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is, in October.