Sports

‘You know it’s time when you are colouring…’: Kohli on Test retirement

Published by
PTI

Virat Kohli had a laugh at his own expense while talking about his Test retirement at Yuvraj Singh’s fundraiser in London.

Kohli, who now resides in the British capital, made a quick dash to the YouWeCan cancer fundraiser after being spotted at Wimbledon, where he looked suave and stylish in a brown suit.

With the Indian team also in the house, the event presenter made a reference to Kohli not being part of the squad, having announced his retirement ahead of the England tour.

“We miss you on the field man,” said presenter Gaurav Kapur.

Also read: Gill, Pant, Jaiswal can take India forward like Virat did alone: Michael Vaughan

With Ravi Shastri, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Yuvraj himself standing next to Kohli, the Indian superstar took a pause before responding: “I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days, it’s time to relax.”

Kohli came in the middle of the fundraiser and was clearly the showstopper.

He also spoke about his bond with Shastri, who was the head coach when Kohli took the Test team to new heights.

“Honestly, if I wasn’t working with him… what happened in Test cricket wouldn’t have been possible. The clarity which we had together is very hard to find. It’s everything for cricketers to grow in their careers.

“Even he hadn’t backed me the way he did… those press conferences where he took the bullets from the front line. Things would have been different and I always have respect and regard for him, for being a massive part of my cricketing journey,” said Kohli.

Shastri returned the compliment, calling Kohli the most influential cricketer of the last 15 years.

Also read: DDCA refuses to learn from its mistakes, BCCI adds to its despair

“You win World Cups and other things but for him to take the red ball cricket to the next level was something he wanted. Once he decided his mantra for success, the others had to follow.

“If India is playing a level of Test match cricket today, especially the younger generation that played under him, they should thank him. Even world cricket should thank him. With India playing well in Test cricket, the bucks came in, the BCCI got their chunk and rightly so.

“They are taking little, they should take more. But he is the most influential of the last decade or so,” said the former India head coach referring to the country’s most successful captain in Test cricket.

PTI

Published by
PTI
Tags: virat kohli

Recent Posts

Delhi: Absconder in 2021 rape case arrested after five-year chase

Police said despite sustained efforts, the accused remained at large and kept changing locations and…

January 11, 2026

A desert in motion: architect Mansi Trehan’s paintings at Bikaner House

At a debut solo exhibition in Delhi, an architect-artist explores sand, memory and movement through…

January 11, 2026

Not informing police biggest mistake: Elderly Delhi couple after losing Rs 14.85 Cr to cyber fraudsters

Om Taneja (81) and his wife Indira (77), a doctor, were kept under “digital arrest”…

January 11, 2026

Delhi court releases man convicted in fatal accident case on probation

The court observed although appellant had caused death by rash and negligent act, sending him…

January 11, 2026

Delhi Police detains AAP leaders protesting against BJP over Guru Tegh Bahadur issue

AAP leaders were detained during a protest against the BJP over an alleged doctored video…

January 11, 2026

NDMC to step up infrastructure, cleanliness efforts ahead of India AI Impact Summit in Delhi

NDMC is rolling out a G20-style upgrade of roads, lighting and cleanliness to prepare Delhi…

January 11, 2026