Virat Kohli has publicly addressed his recent Test retirement for the first time since his announcement on May 12, 2025. Speaking at a charity event organized by Yuvraj Singh in London on July 9, 2025, Kohli offered a lighthearted explanation for his decision, stating, "I just colored my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are coloring your beard every four days".
The event, which aimed to raise funds for the YouWeCan Foundation, saw a gathering of cricket legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Darren Gough, and the current Indian team head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Kohli, who had maintained a relatively low profile since his retirement announcement, joined Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri, and others on stage after being invited by host Gaurav Kapur.
Kohli's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian Test cricket. He played 123 Test matches, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with a strike rate of 55.58. His impressive record includes 30 centuries, 31 half-centuries, and 7 double centuries, the most by an Indian. He also hit 1,027 fours and 30 sixes in his Test career. A significant figure in India's success overseas, Kohli was the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia in 2018-19.
In his initial retirement announcement via an Instagram post, Kohli wrote, "As I step away from this format, it's not easy - but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for. I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude -- for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile".
During the London event, Kohli also acknowledged Ravi Shastri's role in his development as a Test cricketer. He emphasized the importance of clarity and support in a cricketer's growth, saying, "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... 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".
Kohli also spoke about his relationship with Yuvraj Singh, recalling their early days and Yuvraj's inspiring comeback from cancer. "He, Bhajju pa (Harbhajan Singh, and Zak (Zaheer Khan) took me under their wings when I started. We shared many fun times, and his fight against cancer was inspiring. To see him come back and play when I was captain was special,” Kohli said.
Kohli's retirement came shortly after Rohit Sharma also stepped away from red-ball cricket. Kohli has congratulated Shubman Gill on his record-breaking score of 269 against England, referring to him as India's new "star boy" and wishing him success as the next Test captain.
