In his first public statement since retiring from Test cricket, Virat Kohli opened up about his decision at a charity event organized by Yuvraj Singh in London on July 9, 2025. Kohli, who announced his retirement on May 12, 2025, at the age of 36, had previously remained silent on the factors that led to his choice.

Kohli addressed speculations surrounding his retirement, especially regarding his form in the five-day format. While his peak saw him average close to 55 between 2011 and 2019, the preceding 24 months saw that average dip to 32.56. He admitted that the grind of Test cricket, along with the mental and physical toll, played a significant role. "When you are coloring your beard every 4 days…," Kohli said, hinting at the pressures and lifestyle changes that come with maintaining a youthful appearance in the public eye, which indirectly reflected the demanding nature of his career.

Kohli's last Test appearance was in Sydney in January, where India faced defeat against Australia, losing the series 3-1. Despite an unbeaten century in the first Test's second innings in Perth, Kohli only managed 90 runs in the subsequent eight innings of the five-Test series. Kohli had previously mentioned mental fatigue and injuries as contributing factors when considering retirement.

Former spinner Monty Panesar suggested that Kohli's recurring struggles with deliveries outside the off-stump might have influenced his decision to retire before the England tour. Panesar speculated that Kohli might have found it more challenging to handle the moving ball around the off-stump compared to his previous tours of England. While Kohli had successfully bounced back in 2018 after a less successful tour in 2014, repeating those performances at this stage of his career would have been more demanding.

Ravi Shastri, former India coach, expressed sadness over Kohli's sudden retirement, suggesting that the situation could have been managed better with clearer communication. Shastri noted that Kohli's contribution extended beyond statistics, emphasizing his role as an ambassador for Test cricket, particularly overseas. Shastri said that he would have made Kohli captain of Team India after the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025.

Kohli himself reflected on his Test career, acknowledging the format's challenges and the lessons it imparted. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities and experiences gained, stating that he had given everything he had and received more in return than he could have hoped for.