'I just coloured my beard two days ago' - Virat Kohli opens up on Test retirement

Two months after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, star Indian batter Virat Kohli has finally broken his silence about the decision. On July 8, 2025, at a fundraising gala hosted by former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh for the YouWeCan Foundation in London, Kohli revealed the reason for stepping away from the longest format of the game.

The London event was attended by legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, and the current Indian team head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Kohli, who has been keeping a relatively low public profile since his Test retirement announcement on May 12, was also present. Initially seated among the guests, he was invited on stage by host Gaurav Kapur, joining a panel featuring Ravi Shastri, Yuvraj Singh, and others. Upon being asked about retirement, Kohli revealed his reason. He also mentioned Shastri's role in helping him become a better Test cricketer.

"I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are colouring your beard every four days. 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," says Kohli.

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We shared a very good bond both on and off the field: Kohli on Yuvraj Singh

Kohli officially announced his Test retirement via an Instagram post on May 12, 2025. The batting maestro featured in 123 Tests and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and seven double tons (the most by an Indian). Under his captaincy, India registered historic wins, including their first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018–19. 

During the same interaction, the 36-year-old reflected on his first meeting with Yuvraj Singh. He shed light on India's World Cup-winning campaign in 2011 and Yuvraj's battle with cancer during the same period.

"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. 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," Kohli added.