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The excitement around the IPL 2026 final has suddenly taken an emotional turn. Just hours before Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on the Gujarat Titans in the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, social media has been flooded with speculation about Virat Kohli's retirement.
The rumors began spreading like wildfire after some unusual social media activity from both the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise and captain Rajat Patidar. These social media posts were enough for the fans to make their stories about Kohli’s future.
RCB's 'One Last Mile' and '18' post spark Virat Kohli retirement rumours
Actually, RCB first shared a couple of powerful posts featuring Virat Kohli on its social media handles. In one post, Kohli was seen walking onto the ground through the stairs, and it was the message written on the photo—"One Last Mile"—that caught everyone’s attention.
Read Also: AB de Villiers backs RCB captain Rajat Patidar to be Player of the Match in IPL 2026 final
RCB captioned the post: “𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅... 👊🏆”
𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅... 👊🏆 pic.twitter.com/3JEfg6lEgP
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 30, 2026
In another post, RCB shared a number of shots from Kohli’s IPL 2026 moments and simply captioned it: “#18 🫡❤️🔥.”
#18 🫡❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/LNjX43wcuP
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 30, 2026
Now, fans immediately started reading between the lines. It looked like a tribute to Kohli's 18-year-long journey with the franchise, and his jersey number is 18. However, many felt it was more than just a post to build excitement for the final.
Rajat Patidar's silent post adds more fuel to the fire
But things became even more interesting when Captain Rajat Patidar shared a picture with Kohli ahead of the final. In the picture, Kohli was simply showing his finger at something during Qualifier 1.
Interestingly, the background of the image features “Final,” and then Patidar did not write a single word with the post that sparked even more discussions online, with many wondering if it was a special gesture towards Kohli before a major announcement.
Am I overthinking, or are these posts sending cryptic signals? pic.twitter.com/f6DK60djq1
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) May 31, 2026
Within no time, social media was buzzing with retirement rumors. Fans began discussing whether Kohli was preparing to end his IPL career if RCB finally lifted the trophy. The speculation also comes because Kohli has already retired from T20 International cricket after lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024.
Read Also: Devdutt Padikkal snubs Virat Kohli as he names Gautam Gambhir his cricket idol
Here's how fans react-
Nahhh my entire timeline is filled with Kohli retirement tweets& RCB jinx tweets that's why 😭🙏
— Mn🦋 (@popimvk18) May 31, 2026
Kohli retirement loading kya ? #RCBvsGT
— . (@_0C1_) May 31, 2026
I think Virat Kohli will announce his retirement tomorrow… #RCBvsGT #IPL #Final #Kohli
— ViralVista (@Anant91_GT) May 30, 2026
Bro something's fishy yaar, rajat randomly posted kohli pic then Gayle and now RCB official account, please kohli saab dont take any heart breaking decisions we are yet to recover from last year retirement news. https://t.co/8d08OCoEwk
— ᴏɢ (@The_Six_Eyes) May 30, 2026
Final jeetne ka dar alag jagah h and kohli ke retirement ka dar alag 😭
— Adiii 🥀 (@BunnyWitIssues) May 31, 2026
Kohli kal retire ho rha IPL se
— KK (@funshukk) May 30, 2026
Please don't retire Kohli pic.twitter.com/iDogqfsnP2
— Crictalker (@KohlixIconic) May 31, 2026
Let RCB lose so that he won't retire
— Taurus (@itz_chillax) May 30, 2026
King Kohli over RCB franchise anyday https://t.co/SofAO18Tvv
What if, after winning the trophy today, Virat Kohli says the same retirement script... 😭💔
— Eshwar (@ej_memezz__) May 31, 2026
If that's the case, then we don't need the trophy 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/3EwWvYHHuL
Are these posts a hint about Virat retiring from the IPL today?#RCB pic.twitter.com/6dm0gWqOVd
— ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಾರಿ 🚩 (@mythicMosaic0) May 31, 2026
Virat Kohli's domination in IPL 2026
Virat Kohli has once again proved why he remains one of the biggest stars in the IPL. The RCB batting icon has already scored 600 runs this season at an impressive average of 50.00 and a stunning strike rate of 164.38, the best of his IPL career in a single season.
During Qualifier 1 against the Gujarat Titans, Kohli achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first batter in IPL history to score 600 or more runs in four consecutive seasons (2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026). The former RCB captain has smashed one century and four half-centuries this season, with his highest score being an unbeaten 105 against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
