New Delhi: For the first time since his surprise announcement to retire from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli opened up about the emotional decision during a heartfelt appearance at a charity event hosted by Yuvraj Singh’s foundation, YouWeCan.
The event was a star-studded affair, attended by cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Shastri, Chris Gayle, Ashish Nehra, and India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir. Kohli, who shocked the cricketing world by stepping away from red-ball cricket at the age of 36, shared anecdotes, memories, and a touch of humor while reflecting on his journey.
When host Gaurav Kapoor nudged the India great on his absence from the field, Kohli responded with a witty remark:
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you’re colouring your beard every four days,” he said, sparking laughter from the crowd.
The evening soon turned more reflective as Kohli paid a moving tribute to former head coach Ravi Shastri, crediting him for shaping his Test career and protecting him during turbulent times.
“Honestly, if I wasn’t working with him, what happened in Test cricket wouldn’t have been possible. The clarity we had together is rare. He took the bullets in press conferences when I was young and under pressure. I’ll always have massive respect for him. He was a huge part of my journey,” Kohli said.
Kohli also recalled his early years in the Indian dressing room and the strong camaraderie he shared with seniors like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan.
“When I first started, Yuvi pa, Bhajju pa, and Zak took me under their wings. They helped me adjust, made me feel like part of the team. We shared some amazing moments, both on and off the field,” he said.
Speaking about Yuvraj’s remarkable comeback after his battle with cancer, Kohli said the news of the illness had come as a complete shock to him.
“Being so close to him, we had no idea. But being the champion that he is, Yuvi pa came back and played again. I was captain when he returned to the team. It was inspiring,” he added.
Kohli fondly remembered a special match from 2017 in Cuttack against England where both Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni rolled back the years.
“Top-order had collapsed. Yuvi pa scored 150 and MS got a century too. I remember telling KL Rahul, ‘This is like watching our childhood heroes on TV’. That moment is etched in my memory,” Kohli recalled.
He concluded by expressing his admiration for Yuvraj and why he didn’t hesitate to show up for the event.
“It’s a pleasure being here. I wouldn’t do this for anyone else but Yuvi pa. He’s special,” Kohli said with a smile.
Kohli’s heartfelt words offered fans a rare glimpse into the emotional world behind the fiercely competitive cricketer. As the cricketing community continues to digest the absence of Kohli from the Test arena, his reflections serve as a poignant reminder of the passion, mentorship, and brotherhood that shaped one of India’s greatest cricketing careers.
