Virat Kohli himself has revealed the reason for retiring from Test cricket. Kohli spoke openly on this issue for the first time on 8 July 2025 after about two months. He cited the color of the beard, indicating that the time has come to break the ties with the red ball format of the game.
Yuvraj Singh organized a program in London to raise funds for his YouWECAN Foundation. Many current and former cricket celebrities were seen together. The entire Indian cricket team including the associate staff led by Gautam Gambhir was present. The program also included stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Brian Lara and Ashish Nehra.
Team India stayed for about an hour before leaving the luxurious hotel in the middle of the city and participated in some fun activities. When all the people were ready for dinner and were waiting for other activities to start, then a well-known face appeared on the huge screen, in which former Indian Test Virat Kohli was seen talking with his friend Kevin Pietersen.
Gaurav Kapoor then organized a chat session, which included former India head coach Ravi Shastri, cricketer Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle and Darren Goff. Initially Virat Kohli was not on stage, but on Gaurav Kapoor’s insistence he came on stage and joined the rest.
Later in a special meeting with Chris Gayle, he retired a unique reaction to retiring from Test cricket when Gaurav said that everyone misses him on the field. Virat Kohli said that, I have painted my beard two days ago. Now if you paint your beard every four days, then you go on, this is the right time.
Virat Kohli was accompanied by his former Shastri and both praised each other for the cooperation received during the time spent with the Indian cricket team. Kohli spoke in detail about his relationship with the former Indian cricketer and explained how he helped him to become a Test cricketer and achieve what he achieved for the country.
At the same time, Kohli said that, to be honest, if I had not been working with him… then what happened in Test cricket would not have been possible. The clarity between us is very difficult to meet. This is everything to move forward in the career of cricketers. If he had not supported me as much as he gave .. In a press conference where he went ahead and ate bullets… then things would have been different and I have always respected and respect for him to be an important part in my journey of cricket.