Virat Kohli Reveals Emotional Reason Behind Test Retirement at London Gala

Two months after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has finally shared the heartfelt reason behind his decision to step away from the longest format of the game. On July 8, 2025, during a charity gala in London hosted by former teammate and all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation, Kohli broke his silence. Surrounded by some of the biggest names in the cricketing world — including Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and India's current head coach Gautam Gambhir — Kohli took the stage in what turned out to be an emotional and memorable evening. Having stayed out of the limelight since his retirement announcement on May 12, Kohli was seated quietly among the guests before being invited on stage by host Gaurav Kapur. He then joined a discussion panel featuring Ravi Shastri and Yuvraj Singh. When asked about his decision to retire from Test cricket, Kohli candidly opened up and gave credit to those who shaped his journey — especially Shastri, under whom Kohli thrived as a Test player and captain.

Kohli lightened the mood by joking, “I dyed my beard two days ago. When you’re doing that every four days, you know it’s time.” The room shared a laugh, but his next words were more serious. He said that much of his success in Test cricket would not have been possible without Ravi Shastri's unwavering support and guidance. Kohli praised the former head coach for providing him with clarity, confidence, and the freedom to grow as a leader and a batsman. He appreciated how Shastri often took pressure off him during tough press conferences, shielding the team and allowing Kohli to focus on his game. The 36-year-old said that those moments created a bond of mutual trust and respect, and he would always be grateful to Shastri for being a pillar in his career.

In addition to speaking about his retirement, Kohli also shared touching memories of his long friendship with Yuvraj Singh. He reflected on their first meeting during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore, a time when Kohli was just starting out. He recalled how senior players like Yuvraj, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan helped him settle into the Indian team. They made him feel welcomed and mentored him both on and off the field. Kohli said that those early days were filled with valuable lessons, camaraderie, and unforgettable off-field moments that shaped him as a cricketer and a person.

Kohli also looked back on Yuvraj’s extraordinary performance during India’s 2011 World Cup campaign — a tournament where Yuvraj played a crucial role while secretly battling cancer. Kohli admitted that none of them had any idea about Yuvraj’s health condition at the time, which made his later revelation all the more shocking and inspiring. Kohli praised Yuvraj’s strength and determination, especially his comeback to international cricket during Kohli’s own captaincy. One of Kohli’s favorite memories was a match in Cuttack in 2017, where India had lost early wickets, and Yuvraj scored a brilliant 150 alongside MS Dhoni, who scored over 100. Kohli said it felt like a moment from childhood, watching legends rise again. He fondly recalled telling KL Rahul during the match that it felt like watching a dream unfold on television.

In the end, Kohli expressed his deep affection and admiration for Yuvraj Singh, calling him a brother both on and off the field. He concluded by saying, “I have a lot of love and respect for him. It’s a pleasure to be here — and I wouldn’t have come for anyone else but him.” His words brought the audience to applause, reminding everyone once again of the strong bonds and shared journeys that define cricket beyond just the game.