'Kohli brought so much character into the game' - Preity Zinta poured her thoughts on Kohli's retirement

The former Indian skipper Virat Kohli retired from Tests on Tuesday, May 12, which surprised everyone. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner, Preity Zinta, was also shocked by the announcement and shared her thoughts on the star batter.

The Bollywood actress mentioned that the character the ace cricketer brought to the game is unmatchable. She acknowledged the 36-year-old for his competitiveness and admitted that Test cricket would not be the same without his presence. She insisted that the current Indian players would have big shoes to fill because Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin have all hung up their boots in the red-ball format.

“I saw Test cricket mainly for Virat. He infused so much passion and so much character into the game with his competitiveness and the desire to excel. I don’t think Test cricket will ever be the same again. I wish him well and all the best for his future. Our current Indian players will have big shoes to fill because the likes of Virat, Rohit, and Ashwin are not playing Test cricket anymore,” Zinta replied to a fan's question on her 'X' handle.

Preity G Zinta@realpreityzinta

I saw test cricket mainly for Virat. He infused so much passion and so much character into the game with his competitiveness & the desire to excel. I don’t think test cricket will ever be the same again. I wish him well and all the best for his future. Our current Indian players x.com/tusharv8318750…

Hindu Tushar Verma@TusharV83187505

Ma'am yesterday what's your first reaction when you listen virat takes retirement from test cricket? 🤔🤔 #pzchat @realpreityzinta

04:57 PM · May 13, 2025

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Virat Kohli's Test career and resumption of IPL 2025

The Delhi-born cricketer amassed 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an impressive average of 46.85, which includes 30 centuries. He led Team India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them, and became one of the most successful captains of all time in the red-ball format.

Kohli last played in whites against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). He scored just 190 runs in the five-match Test series, which included a century.

The top-order batter will be seen in action in IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He has scored 505 runs in 11 innings and is currently in fourth spot in the Orange Cap race.