Following his test retirement, the star batter Virat Kohli shared the insights behind his decision for the first time on July 8, 2025, during an event organised by former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh to raise funds for the YouWeCan Foundation.

Virat Kohli used the reference to beard colour to imply that it was time for him to draw the curtains on his illustrious Test career.

“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” said Virat Kohli when insisted to join Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle and Darren Gough on the stage.

Virat Kohli took to Instagram to write a lengthy post, announcing his retirement from Test cricket. “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.”

Virat Kohli retired after playing 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs from 210 innings at an impressive average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.58.

He has hit 30 centuries and 31 half centuries, including 7 double hundreds, with a highest score of 254.

He has 7 double centuries are the most by an Indian. Kohli has also struck 1027 fours and 30 sixes in Test Cricket. He is also the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018-19).

After staying out of cricketing affairs since his retirement, Virat Kohli lauded Shubman Gill for his record breaking 269-run knock in the second test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.

Virat Kohli also shared details about his bond with Yuvraj Singh, the duo who won 2011 World Cup playing side by side.

“We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. I met him (Yuvraj) for the first time during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I started playing for India, he, Bhajju Pa and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings.”

“They really helped me grow as a player and made me comfortable in the dressing room. A Lot of fun times off the field and they made me aware of the lifestyle of getting to the top. These are the bonds I will cherish for the rest of my life,” he added.

“Watching him in the World Cup was very special and what we got to know after that was a shock. Being so close to him… we had no idea. Then his battle with cancer and again the champion that he is… coming on top and making a comeback to the team when I was leading the team,” concluded Virat Kohli.