Virat Kohli's IPL retirement hinted by Ayush Badoni with weird Instagram post

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Ayush Badoni shared a cryptic post featuring Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Badoni’s post grabbed the attention of fans on social media, with many calling it a hint towards Virat Kohli’s retirement from the IPL.

The 36-year-old batter retired from Test cricket just before the highly anticipated five-match series against England, starting on June 20. He concluded his 14-year career in the longest format without crossing the 10,000-run milestone. The right-handed batter is the fourth-highest run-getter for India in Tests.

Virat Kohli to Be Next Seen in Action as RCB Take on LSG

Virat Kohli will be seen in action on Tuesday, May 27, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Lucknow Super Giants in their final league match. The game will be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

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This match will be important for RCB to finish in the top two of the points table. They are currently in third place with 17 points from 13 matches. A win in the upcoming match will seal their place in Qualifier 1.

Kohli has been in excellent form throughout the IPL 2025 season. He is RCB’s highest run-scorer, scoring 548 runs in 12 innings with an impressive strike rate of 145.35. The former RCB skipper has smashed seven half-centuries, all of them in winning causes.

Virat Kohli's IPL Retirement Hinted at by Ayush Badoni On Instagram

Ahead of the match between RCB and LSG, Ayush Badoni shared a post on his official Instagram account. Badoni posted a picture with Virat Kohli, captioned "One last dance!" The caption caught the attention of RCB fans.

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A post shared by Ayush Badoni (@ayush_badoni1)

The Super Giants have been eliminated and sit seventh with 12 points from 13 games. Badoni has scored 329 runs in 11 innings at an average of 32.90 and a strike rate of 148.20, including two fifties. He is the fourth-leading run-getter for LSG, behind Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Aiden Markram.

Virat Kohli Announced His Retirement from Test Cricket on May 12

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12 through an emotional Instagram post, stating it was the right moment to step away. He concluded his red-ball career as India's most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches.

The right-handed batter struggled during the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024–25. Kohli scored just 190 runs in nine innings despite starting the series with a century in Perth.

Returning to competitive cricket after his retirement, Kohli impressed with a 43 off 25 balls for RCB in a high-scoring encounter at the Ekana Stadium. Chasing a daunting 232, RCB made a strong start but lost momentum. They eventually lost the match by 42 runs.

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