Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the longest form of cricket – Tests – almost a year after stepping away from T20 Internationals. Minutes after announcing his retirement via a long Instagram post – “269, signing off” – he was spotted with his wife Anushka Sharma at the Mumbai Airport. They were en route to Delhi Airport to seek blessings from Premanand Maharaj at Vrindavan Dham. Upon their return, fans swamped them, with one emotional fan saying that “he will not watch cricket anymore now that Virat Kohli has retired”. 

The video, which is all over social media, shows Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma exiting Mumbai Airport as a fan approached him and says, “Why did you retire, sir? I won’t watch cricket now. I used to watch Test matches for you.”

Kohli appeared visibly surprised by the fan’s words, but didn’t say anything until the emotional fan reiterated, “I won’t watch cricket now.” 

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Running late, the former Indian captain politely responded, “Jaane do thoda, jagah dedo [Please let us go, give some space],” asking for space as they made their way through the crowd.

The fan can also be heard telling him that everyone – fans and paparazzi alike – wants a picture with him. To this, Virat said that he is in a hurry, otherwise, he would have stopped for pictures.

The fan follows the cricketer to the car and says, “Virat sir, I won’t watch cricket now. I used to watch Tests for you.” Virat replies with a gracious “thank you”. 

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“We’ll wait for you to play ODI [50 overs format]. This time, RCB will win,” the fan from behind the camera adds as Kohli sits in the car beside Anushka Sharma.  

Virat Kohli’s retirement came just days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement via an Instagram Story. Kohli played his debut match against the West Indies in 2011 and has since scored more than 9,000 runs from the 123 Test matches.  

Throughout his cricket career, Kohli has scored an impressive 36,108 runs, including more than 14,000 in ODIs alone. In Tests, he has also taken over 120 wickets.