Virat Kohli Test Retirement: ‘It’s not easy – but it feels right,” was what Virat Kohli wrote on Instagram as he shared the news of his retirement from Test Cricket with more than 271 million fans who follow him on the Meta-owned app. Within minutes of his announcement, heartbroken fans took to social media – both in the comments section of his retirement post and from their individual handles – to say just one thing in unison that “legends never retire”. They also feel that “Test cricket won’t be the same without him”, and we agree.
But before we go through how the Internet has been reacting and absorbing the news of Kohli’s retirement, let us take a look at how the ICC and BCCI have reacted to the cricketer “signing off”.
‘Era ends’: ICC and BCCI
ICC wrote a farewell article for India’s batting stalwart with the words “era over”. On social media, the international governing body of cricket wrote something that many would agree with: “Whites off, crown intact”. For those don’t know or follow Cricket much, Kohli played his debut match against the West Indies in 2011, has scored more than 9,000 runs from the 123 Test matches.
“Thank you, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket, but the legacy will continue FOREVER!” BCCI said. It added that the former skipper’s “contributions” to Test cricket “will forever be cherished”.
Internet remembers Kohli’s cover drives, stares and more
“No more Kohli cover drives in whites. No more fiery stares from Slip. Thank you for making Test cricket feel like poetry in motion,” wrote one social media user.
Ayushmann Khurrana’s brother Aparshakti Khurana too dropped a comment with a red heart emoji on Kohli’s post. He said, “I feel happy to be born in an era where we witnessed it inch by inch!”
“Unexpected and too early retirement,” another Internet user expressed.
A third shared, “The crown may rest, but the King remains.”
Many still can’t process the news of his announcement, expressing that “this can’t be true”.
Tanmay Bhatt also commented. The comedian, who is known for invoking humour in everything he comes across, also seemed to be a tad bit emotional. “Please, no.”
People operating OTT platforms, too, couldn’t hold back from sharing words for our very own KING Kohli. “Retired from the game, but not from being the GOAT,” a comment from Netflix read.
Another from JioHotstar, stated, “From centuries to memories. Thank you legend”.
Virat Kohli retires from Test Cricket
Virat, whose Test cap number was 269, recalled wearing “baggy blue in Test Cricket” some 14 years ago, which, he said, “tested and shaped him” and taught “lessons that he’ll carry for life”.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life,” Kohli’s retirement statement began.
It added, “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
Kohli, who said that he will “always look back at his Test career with a smile”, said that the decision was not an easy one to make, but it was the right one.
“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,” it further stated.
An emotional Kohli, who retired from the “red-ball cricket” an hour ago, said, “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.”
The statement ended with the words, “#269, signing off”.
Kohli’s retirement comes days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the longest format of cricket.