Virat Kohli for Bharat Ratna!! Petition sent to Indian government

In a heartfelt tribute, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has called for the Bharat Ratna to be awarded to Virat Kohli in recognition of his services to Indian cricket just days after the batting legend announced his retirement from Test cricket.

Virat Kohli walked away from the traditional format of the game with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests. He had earlier retired from T20I cricket after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean. Now, he will only be seen in the ODIs, with possibly the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa being his last dance in the national jersey.

Suresh Raina demands Bharat Ratna for Virat Kohli after Test retirement

Speaking during the RCB vs KKR IPL 2025 clash on May 17 in Bengaluru, Suresh Raina praised Kohli for not just his records but also his impact on Indian cricket. At a time when Test cricket struggled for survival, Kohli brought fire, flair, and fight to the format.

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The former Indian captain reignited fans' love for red-ball cricket with his aggressive captaincy, fitness-driven culture, and relentless hunger to win. In T20Is, the dashing right-hander is the third-highest run-scorer with 4188 runs and has the highest batting average of 48.69.

His contribution to Indian cricket is not just about the records he made in his career so far, but also about how he inspired the young generation grew love for the game among the fans, and strengthened the team’s legacy on the cricket map across the three formats of the game.

Virat Kohli deserves Bharat Ratna for his contributions to Indian cricket: Suresh Raina

Given the impact, Raina feels the modern-day great Virat deserves to be honored with the Bharat Ratna. Notably, Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer who has received the Bharat Ratna award, and he is also the youngest recipient of India's highest civilian honor.

Suresh Raina said on Star Sports, “Virat Kohli ne jitni upalabdhiyan haasil ki hain, Bharat aur bhartiya cricket k liye unhone jo bhi kiya hai, uske liye unhe Bharat Ratna se sammanit kiya jaana chahiye. Bharat sarkar ko unhe Bharat Ratna award dena chahiye.

(The number of achievements Virat Kohli has accomplished, and whatever he has done for India and Indian cricket, for that he should be honored with the Bharat Ratna). The Government of India should give him the Bharat Ratna award.”

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Suresh Raina urges BCCI to give 'retirement match' to Virat Kohli in Delhi

Raina has also urged the BCCI to organize a special retirement match for Kohli in Delhi. He said it would be a perfect tribute in front of Kohli’s family and childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma. The commentator believes that Kohli deserves a farewell match for what he has done for Indian cricket.

He signed off by saying, “I also feel he should be given a retirement match in Delhi. His family and coach would have been there to support him. After doing so much for the country, you communicate with him because he deserves a retirement match.”

Notably, RCB fans showed their love and respect for Kohli on Saturday by wearing white jerseys to honor his legendary Test career. It was a heartfelt tribute planned at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but the IPL 2025 match was washed out by rain against the KKR.