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Kohli retired as India’s fourth-highest run scorer in Test cricket, having scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 matches. (Reuters Photo)
Virat Kohli’s Test retirement was met with tributes and, in some cases, a sense of disbelief. The latter seemed to be the case for Kohli’s longtime former India teammate Harbhajan Singh. “Why Retired?” was his first post on X after Kohli’s announcement on May 12 before he wrote a longer post in tribute to the latter’s career. Harbhajan has now revealed that his daughter also asked Kohli why he took the step leading to a rather emotional response from the former India captain.
“I tweeted and asked why, Virat why? Why did you retire from Test cricket? Even my daughter asked me, ‘Papa, why did Virat retire?’ She even texted Virat asking, ‘This is Hinaya, Virat, why did you retire?’ Virat’s heart also sank. He smiled and replied, ‘Beta, it’s time,'” Harbhajan told Instant Bollywood.
Kohli retired as India’s fourth-highest run scorer in Test cricket, having scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 matches. He scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His annual average never dipped below 55 in the four years between 2016 and 2019. Additionally his calendar year average at the end of 2016 and 2017 were both above 75.
“As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for,” said Kohli in a statement that he put up on his Instagram handle.
“I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude — for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off,” he said.
Kohli will now be playing only ODIs for India, having retired from T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. Before that, though, his focus will solely be on trying to win a first Indian Premier League title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The side face the Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, having finished second in the league table. Kohli himself has been in incredible form, sitting fifth on the Orange Cap table going into the playoffs with 602 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 147.91 and average of 60.20 and scoring eight half-centuries.
English (US) ·