Virat Kohli’s Subtle Farewell: The Moment He Revealed Why He Retired From Test Cricket
Suppose anyone still wondered why Virat Kohli chose to step away from Test cricket at the age of 36. In that case, they may have found their answer during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. It wasn’t through a press conference or a public statement, but through a quiet, inadvertent moment that spoke volumes — one that fans are now calling a “fair call,” though still a painful one to accept.
A Glimpse of the Old Fire
What a sight Virat Kohli was last night. Animated, electric, and deeply involved — a mirror of the man fans have known and idolized for nearly two decades. Every Punjab Kings wicket was celebrated with the intensity of a final, his emotions raw and visible. It was vintage Virat Kohli: eyes blazing, fists pumping, roaring with passion. For fans, it was a joy to watch. But for some, it was bittersweet. Because while that kind of Virat Kohli — the one who lived every moment with unmatched fire — will continue in white-ball cricket, it won’t be seen again in Tests.
And that’s what stings the most.
One Match Left Before a Long Break
With RCB still in the title hunt, Kohli has only one or possibly two IPL matches left before he vanishes from cricket for at least four months. With his retirement from the longest format now confirmed, the next time Virat Kohli will be seen on the field is October 19, when India tours Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is. For a generation of fans who grew up watching Kohli build India’s Test side into a formidable force, it feels like the end of an era.
Still Hard to Digest
It’s been 18 days since Virat Kohli made the shocking decision to retire from Test cricket, but the news still doesn’t sit easy with most. India’s most successful Test captain, the face of India’s new-era aggression, calling it quits felt abrupt. Many wondered — why now? Virat Kohli was still supremely fit, still scoring runs, and still among the most bankable names in red-ball cricket. There was speculation, debates, and even emotional tributes. But last night, under the lights of Mullanpur, the answer may have quietly revealed itself.
That Dreaded Off-Stump Ball
Virat Kohli looked confident at the start of his innings. A crisp boundary off the first ball got him going. But soon after, the inevitable happened. Chasing a delivery outside the off stump from Josh Hazlewood, Virat Kohli nicked it behind to Josh Inglis. Dismissed for 12, it was a dismissal all too familiar — a pattern that has haunted him for years in Test cricket. That corridor of uncertainty outside off-stump has been his Achilles’ heel, and it seems the ghosts of red-ball cricket have followed him into the IPL.
And that, perhaps, was the final straw.
In early April, Kohli reportedly informed the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar of his intention to retire from Tests. It was a decision that stunned the cricketing world. But if you read between the lines, and watched his dismissal last night, it starts to make sense. The effort to overcome a technical flaw, one that has become more glaring over time, may have taken a toll on Virat Kohli , mentally and emotionally. Perhaps he no longer wanted to put himself through that grind in the red-ball format.
A Fair Call, But a Painful One
Fans, while heartbroken, acknowledged the reality. Virat Kohli’s greatness has never been questioned. With over 8,000 Test runs and a legacy that includes winning series in Australia and making India the No.1 ranked Test team, his career is beyond reproach. But even legends have their limitations. And when one of the fittest, most focused cricketers of all time decides he’s done with Tests, perhaps it’s only fair to respect that call.
On social media, fans expressed sadness but also understanding. “It hurts to say goodbye, but if this is why he left red-ball cricket, it’s a fair call,” one tweet read. Others pointed to how Virat Kohli is prioritizing formats where he still feels at his best — a sign of self-awareness, not decline.
For now, the focus shifts to RCB’s IPL journey and India’s white-ball assignments. But Test cricket will never quite be the same without Kohli — the player, the leader, and the heartbeat of Indian aggression. As the sun sets on his red-ball career, fans are left with memories, stats, and a hollow space that may never truly be filled.
