Image: During a military briefing, India's DGMO praised Kohli after his Test retirement / © Hindustan Times
With the retirement of Virat Kohli from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, tributes poured in from all corners of the country, including an unexpected one from the Indian Army. During a press briefing on “Operation Sindoor”, a strategic military action targeting nine Pakistani cities with terror infrastructure, India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, made a personal reference to Kohli.
While addressing the media about the sensitive operation and military engagement with Pakistan, Ghai acknowledged Kohli’s retirement and praised him, stating, “Like every Indian, he’s always my favourite”. Kohli’s decision to walk away from Test cricket has left fans and the cricketing world emotional.
The timing of his retirement, coinciding with one of India’s major military announcements, highlighted how deeply ingrained his legacy is in the national consciousness. While the DGMO insisted it wasn’t a day to discuss cricket, he couldn’t help but mention Kohli, reflecting the cricketer’s wide-reaching influence.