One of India’s finest Test cricketer, Virat Kohli, bid adieu to the format he loved the most quietly, with a brief note on social media earlier this year in May. The announcement was surprising given the former captain had given no indication of him even flirting with the idea of quitting red-ball cricket. He didn’t specify any reason then nor did he touch the subject until Tuesday (July 8) during an event in London.
India legend Yuvraj Singh hosted a gala dinner for his charity YouWeCan Foundation for which several current and former cricket stars from around the world were invited. Among them was Kohli, a former teammate of Yuvraj and he chose the event to break his silence on his retirement shocker.
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” Kohli, again briefly, summarised why he thought it’s the right time to walk into the sunset.
The 36-year-old boasts of a stellar Test career that saw him amass 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 from 210 innings (123 Tests). He scored these runs with the help of 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Besides, he led in 68 Tests and oversaw victory in 40 of them that make him the most successful Indian captain in the format’s history. His win percentage of 58.82 is the third best in history among the captains who led in at least 50 Tests.
Kohli had retired from T20Is last year after India won the T20 World Cup in the Americas. He will continue to play ODIs.
