Kohli on Test Retirement: “You Know it’s Time When You’re Colouring Your Beard Every Four Days”
At a recent cancer fundraiser hosted by Yuvraj Singh’s YouWeCan in London, Virat Kohli brought humor to the stage while reflecting on his Test cricket retirement. The event, attended by cricket luminaries like Ravi Shastri, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and Yuvraj Singh, saw Kohli steal the spotlight with his wit and heartfelt remarks.
Now settled in London, Kohli made a brief appearance at the fundraiser after being spotted at Wimbledon. The Indian cricket team was also present, and event host Gaurav Kapur noted Kohli’s absence from the squad following his retirement announcement before the England tour. “We miss you on the field, man,” Kapur said.
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Kohli, standing alongside his former teammates and coach, responded with a chuckle: “I just dyed my beard two days ago. When you’re coloring it every four days, you know it’s time to take it easy.” His lighthearted comment drew laughter from the crowd, cementing his status as the evening’s highlight.
The former Indian captain also took a moment to reflect on his professional bond with Ravi Shastri, his former head coach. Kohli credited Shastri’s guidance for India’s remarkable success in Test cricket during his captaincy. “Working with him was key to what we achieved in Test cricket. The clarity we shared was rare and vital for any cricketer’s growth,” Kohli said. He also praised Shastri’s unwavering support, recalling how the coach often shielded him from media scrutiny during challenging times. “His role in my career means the world to me,” he added.
Shastri reciprocated the praise, hailing Kohli as the most influential cricketer of the past 15 years. He emphasized Kohli’s impact on elevating India’s Test cricket performance, which set a new standard for the game globally. “Virat’s drive to take red-ball cricket to new heights was unmatched. His leadership shaped the younger players and brought financial rewards to the BCCI and world cricket,” Shastri said, referring to Kohli’s legacy as India’s most successful Test captain.
The fundraiser, backed by AFP for its coverage, highlighted Kohli’s enduring charisma and his contributions both on and off the field.