Virat Kohli makes heartbreaking revelation on Test retirement, credits this coach for red-ball success

India batter Virat Kohli opened up about his decision to retire from Test cricket almost two months after the announcement. Speaking at an event in London on July 8, the former India captain jokingly stated that his beard turning grey was a sign for him to step down from the longest format of the game.

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, via an emotional post on Instagram. Kohli admitted that the decision had been a tough one but added that it felt like the right moment. Notably, the veteran Indian batter chose not to reveal any specific reason behind his decision.

Virat Kohli Opens Up About Test Retirement For First Time

Virat Kohli and several cricketing greats, including Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, and Ravi Shastri, attended a charity event in London hosted by Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation.

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Kohli responded with humor when Gaurav Kapoor mentioned how much fans missed seeing him on the field. He said that coloring his beard frequently was a sign it was time to move on.

"I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are colouring your beard every four days," said Kohli, as quoted by TOI.

Kohli recently attended Novak Djokovic’s match at Wimbledon 2025 with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. He expressed his support for Djokovic to go on and claim his 25th Grand Slam title.

Also Read: "Spoke to Virat Kohli recently, the matter of captaincy came up"- Dinesh Karthik sends shockwaves

Virat Kohli Ended his Illustrious Test Career After 123 Matches for India

Virat Kohli ended his Test career after playing 123 matches for India. He scored 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.58. The batter smashed 30 centuries, 31 half-centuries, and a record seven double centuries – the most by any Indian in the format.

Apart from his batting, Kohli also left behind a strong legacy as a captain. He led India in 68 Tests, guiding them to victory in 40 matches, making him the most successful Indian Test captain. The right-handed batter also became the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia.

The 36-year-old had earlier stepped away from T20Is after India’s title win at the T20 World Cup in the Americas. However, he remains available for selection in ODIs.

Virat Kohli Credits Ravi Shastri for Shaping His Test Career

Kohli spoke about the bond he shared with former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Kohli credited Shastri for providing the clarity and backing that helped him grow as a cricketer, adding that his achievements in Test cricket might not have been possible without him.

"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.

"Even 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," he added.

Also read: England ODI squad for India series announced