Virat Kohli Reveals Emotional Reason Behind Test Retirement at London Gala

Two months after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has finally shared the reason behind his decision. On July 8, 2025, at a charity event in London organized by formerall-rounder Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation, Kohli spoke openly about why he chose to step away from the longest format of the game.

The event saw the presence of cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and Indias current head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Kohli, who had kept a low profile since retiring on May 12, was quietly sitting among the guests until host Gaurav Kapur called him on stage. He joined a discussion panel that included Ravi Shastri and Yuvraj Singh. When asked about his retirement, Kohli opened up and also thanked Shastri for playing a big role in his Test career.

Kohli joked, I dyed my beard two days ago. When youre doing that every four days, you know its time. He added that if it hadnt been for Shastri, he wouldnt have achieved what he did in Test cricket. Kohli said their understanding and clear communication were rare and important for his growth as a cricketer. He also praised Shastri for always supporting him, even during tough press conferences. Kohli said he would always respect and appreciate Shastri for being a key part of his cricket journey.

Virat Kohli Shares Heartfelt Memories with Yuvraj Singh at London Event

Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket through an Instagram post on May 12, 2025. Over his career, he played 123 Test matches and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He hit 30 centuries and 7 double centuries the most by any Indian. As captain, he led India to several major achievements, including their first-ever Test series win in Australia during the 201819 tour.

At the same event, the 36-year-old also spoke about his bond with Yuvraj Singh. He recalled the first time they met during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When Kohli began his journey with the Indian team, Yuvraj, along with Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan, helped him adjust. They made him feel welcome in the team and guided him both on and off the field. Kohli said those fun and supportive moments shaped his early days in international cricket.

He said he will always value the friendship they shared. Kohli also talked about Yuvrajs performance during the 2011 World Cup and how shocking it was to later learn that Yuvraj was battling cancer at the same time. Kohli admired how Yuvraj fought back and returned to international cricket during Kohlis own captaincy. He recalled a specific match against England in Cuttack during a home series in 2017. Indias top order had collapsed, but Yuvraj scored around 150 and MS Dhoni scored over 100. Kohli remembered telling KL Rahul that it felt like watching their childhood heroes live again. He expressed deep love and respect for Yuvraj and said, I wouldnt attend an event like this for anyone else but him.