Did Virat Kohli Retire from Test Cricket Just Because of His White Beard?

Kohli turned the team into a strong unit, making Test matches exciting again. But on 12th May 2025, he shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from the longest format, marking the end of an incredible era. Recently, at a Gala Dinner event hosted by Yuvraj Singh, Kohli opened up about his decision. During the chat, he spoke about why he chose to step away from Test cricket and reflected on his journey. The evening turned emotional for fans as they got a deeper insight into his thought process.

Was Virat Kohli’s White Beard the Real Reason Behind His Test Retirement?

The cricketer who has given so much to Indian cricket, Virat Kohli, was a highlight at a recent gala dinner hosted by Yuvraj Singh to raise funds for his YouWeCan Foundation. The event brought together a dazzling array of cricket stars, including the entire Indian cricket team, led by coach Gautam Gambhir, along with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Brian Lara, and Ashish Nehra. Held at a luxurious hotel in the city’s heart, the evening was filled with warmth, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to a noble cause.

The Indian team stuck around for just over an hour, diving into fun activities before slipping out. As dinner got underway, a huge screen lit up, showing Kohli kicking back, eating, and chatting with his friend Kevin Pietersen. It was a moment that felt so human, so real, and the crowd ate it up. The night hit another gear when Gaurav Kapoor, the ever-charismatic host, roped in Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and Darren Gough for a candid chat. Kohli wasn’t meant to join them on stage, but Gaurav’s playful prodding got him up there, and the fans lost it.

Gaurav: Everyone misses you on the field. [Sahil Malhotra from TOI]

Virat Kohli said "I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are colouring your beard every four days". pic.twitter.com/zqjXDiuwmx

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 9, 2025

After a big hug with Chris Gayle, Kohli had everyone cracking up when Gaurav mentioned how much he’s missed in Test cricket. With a sly grin, he said:

I dyed my beard two days back. When you’re touching it up every four days, you know it’s time to call it quits!

The room erupted, loving his wit. But let’s talk about that Test career as it was pure gold. Kohli played 123 Tests, stepping up to bat 210 times and piling on 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His best knock? An unbeaten 254 that’s still the stuff of legend. With 30 centuries, 31 fifties, 1,027 fours, and 30 sixes, he was a batting expert. Oh, and don’t forget his 121 catches; those hands were everywhere.

As India’s Test captain for 68 matches, Kohli was a force. He led India to 40 wins, with 11 draws and just 17 losses, giving him a 58.82% win rate, the best any Indian skipper has ever posted. His crowning glory was captaining India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19, a moment etched in cricket history. Under him, India ruled the ICC Test Team Rankings for five straight years, from 2016 to 2021, and he took the team to the final of the first ICC World Test Championship in 2021. That gala wasn’t just a starry night, as it was a nod to cricket’s giants and their heart for the game and the world beyond it, with Kohli shining brightest.

How Ravi Shastri Helped Virat Kohli Reach the Top in Test Cricket?

Virat Kohli’s Test career is the kind which made the Indian fans proud, and he’ll be the first to tell you Ravi Shastri had a massive hand in it. During that gala’s lively panel with Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, Darren Gough, Kevin Pietersen, and Shastri, Kohli got real about their bond. He spoke from the heart, saying Shastri’s clear-headed guidance and rock-steady support were game-changers. Without Shastri in his corner, Kohli said, those jaw-dropping Test numbers might’ve stayed out of reach.

Shastri wasn’t just a coach as he was Kohli’s wingman, often taking the heat from the media so Kohli could keep his eyes on the prize. On stage, you could feel their respect for each other as they swapped stories about their time running Indian cricket. Kohli said Shastri’s big-picture thinking gave him the confidence to dominate Tests, whether he was smashing runs or leading the team. That partnership turned him into a legend who thrived under pressure, delivering time and again. He said:

Honestly, if I wasn’t working with him… what happened in Test cricket wouldn’t have been possible. The clarity which we had together is very hard to find. It’s everything for cricketers to grow in their careers. Even he hadn’t backed me the way he did… those press conferences where he took the bullets from the front line. Things would have been different and I always have respect and regard for him, for being a massive part of my cricketing journey.

VIRAT KOHLI ON RAVI SHASTRI'S. 🗣️

"If I wasn't working with him, what happened in Test cricket wouldn't have been possible. The clarity which we had together, those PCs where he took the bullets. I'll always have respect for him, for being massive part of my cricket journey". pic.twitter.com/nU4KQ1qk1O

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 9, 2025

When Kohli retired from Tests at 36, it hit like a bolt from the blue. Fresh off a Ranji Trophy game in 2025 and India’s big England tour, no one saw it coming. His last series in Australia had its moments as some epic, some shaky, but it didn’t dent his legacy. Kohli’s fire as a captain, his hunger for runs, and his love for the game lit a spark in players and fans alike. His shout-out to Shastri at the gala showed how much trust and teamwork fueled his rise, and his Test story will always be one for the ages.

How Much Virat Kohli Values Yuvraj Singh?

Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh go way back, their friendship forged in the heat of cricket and strengthened by life’s ups and downs. It all started at a North Zone tournament in Bangalore, where a young Kohli met Yuvraj. When Kohli made it to the Indian team, Yuvraj, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan took him under their wings, showing him the ropes in the dressing room and sharing tips on life at the top. Off the field, they had a blast, with Yuvraj dropping wisdom about what it takes to stay elite. Kohli calls those times treasures he’ll carry forever. He said:

We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. I met him for the first time during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I started playing for India, him, bhajju pa and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings. Really helped me grow as a player, made me comfortable in the dressing room. Lot of fun times off the field and made me aware of the lifestyle of getting to the top. These are the bonds I would cherish for the rest of my life. Watching him in the World Cup was very special and what we got to know after that was a shock.

VIRAT KOHLI ON YUVRAJ SINGH. 🗣️

"We share a very good bond. Yuvi, Bhajji, Zak took me under their wings when I first came. It helped me grow. We played a game Vs England in Cuttack, Yuvi pa got 150 and MS got 110, I was telling KL that this is like childhood days, I've lots of… pic.twitter.com/dJQphQC15o

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 9, 2025

Yuvraj’s 2011 World Cup heroics blew Kohli away, but his cancer diagnosis right after shook him to the core. The team had no idea what Yuvraj was going through during the tournament. His fight and comeback to the Indian side, now led by Kohli, left a mark. One memory Kohli loves is a 2017 match against England in Cuttack. The top order tanked, but Yuvraj smashed a dazzling 150, with MS Dhoni adding around 110. Watching from the dugout, Kohli felt like a kid again, geeking out with KL Rahul over Yuvraj’s magic. He further added:

Being so close to him… we had no idea. Then his battle with cancer and again the champion that he is… coming on top and making a comeback to the team when I was leading the team. I clearly remember we played a game against England in Cuttack. There was a 2017 series we played at home and top-order got out early and Yuvi pa got 150 I think and MS scored 110 or something. I still remember telling KL or someone that this is like childhood days watching on big tv… I have a lot of love and respect for him. It’s a pleasure being here and I won’t do it for any other person but him.

At a recent London event, where Yuvraj now hangs out a lot, Kohli spoke about their bond with a big smile. The night was all about good talks, drinks, and raising money for a cause close to their hearts. Kohli, always humble, slipped off stage after his bit, catching up with his friend Gaurav before heading to the hotel lobby with barely any security. The area was briefly locked down, but it was back to normal once he left. Kohli’s love for Yuvraj, built on years of shared victories and tough times, is a friendship that still inspires, on and off the pitch.