How the World Reacted to Virat Kohli’s Test Cricket Retirement: Global Tributes & Celebrity Reactions

Global Outpouring of Emotion as Virat Kohli Announces Test Retirement

On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli—one of the greatest batsmen of his generation—shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket. As India prepared for its upcoming tour of England, Kohli shared a heartfelt Instagram post reflecting on a 14-year red-ball career that included 123 Tests, 9,230 runs at 46.85, and 30 centuries . Within minutes, reactions flooded in from across the globe—cricket legends, Bollywood stars, sports icons, and ordinary fans alike. Here’s a comprehensive look at how the world reacted to “King Kohli” stepping away from the format that defined him.

King Kohli

Indian Cricket Icons Pay Tribute

Ravi Shastri (Former India Coach):

“Virat transformed the way India approached Test cricket. His passion, fitness, and hunger made him a modern-day giant.”
Shastri’s words underscored Kohli’s impact both as a player and a leader Reuters.

Jay Shah (ICC Chairman):

“In an era of T20 dominance, Kohli championed Test cricket. The red ball owes him a debt of gratitude.”
Shah’s commendation reflected the administrative praise Kohli garnered for prioritizing the longest format Reuters.

Shubman Gill (Indian Opener):

“Watching you bat when I was 13 inspired my entire journey. Thank you for showing us what dedication looks like.”
Gill’s emotional post on social media highlighted the inspiration Kohli provided to India’s next generation The Times of India.

Jasprit Bumrah & Yashasvi Jaiswal (Teammates):
Both fast bowler Bumrah and young opener Jaiswal took to Twitter to thank Kohli for his mentorship and fierce competitiveness that lifted team standards Reuters.

Overseas Legends Reflect on Kohli’s Legacy

Greg Chappell (Former Australia Coach):

“Kohli’s domination across continents was unmatched. He’ll be remembered alongside Tendulkar and Lara as a true great.”
Chappell’s tribute placed Kohli in the pantheon of global batting legends Reuters.

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka Great):

“His fitness levels and behind-the-scenes work ethic were inspiring. He showed that Test cricket demands more than talent—it demands sacrifice.”
Jayasuriya’s column for the BBC praised Kohli’s off-field dedication Hindustan Times.

Harbhajan Singh & Irfan Pathan (Former India All-Rounders):
Both lauded Kohli’s intensity and how his arrival shifted India’s attitude toward the longest format, instilling belief in overseas tours Reuters.

Bollywood and Entertainment World Mourn the ‘King’

Ranveer Singh:

“One in a billion! Go well, King!”
Ranveer’s Instagram story celebrated Kohli’s career with a montage of his iconic moments India Today.

Vicky Kaushal:

“You did it your way and you will be missed, champ! Thanks for the memories.”
Kaushal’s post on Instagram stories blended admiration with personal warmth India Today.

Suniel Shetty:

“You didn’t just play Test cricket, you lived it—breathed fire, wore your heart on your sleeve. Take a bow, champ.”
Shetty’s tweet captured the emotional intensity of Kohli’s journey www.ndtv.com.

Anushka Sharma (Actor & Kohli’s Wife):

“Behind every kick, drop, and triumph was a man who gave his all—for the game and for his family. So proud.”
Sharma’s Instagram post added a personal dimension, acknowledging the sacrifices made off the field India Today.

Vivek Oberoi:

“The end of an era. You carved a new path in Test cricket alongside Rohit. Legends never fade.”
Oberoi’s tweet noted that Kohli and Rohit’s near-simultaneous retirements represented a generational shift Sportskeeda.

Sports Stars Outside Cricket Share Their Admiration

Novak Djokovic (Tennis World No. 1):

“Virat’s discipline reminds me of the demands of Grand Slams. Adversity and triumph—a lesson for all athletes.”
Djokovic’s tweet linked his own journey to Kohli’s resilience Sportskeeda.

Harry Kane (England Football Captain):

“Respect to Virat for redefining standards. Test cricket will miss that fierce drive.”
Kane’s Instagram comment on a shared clip illustrated cross-sport respect Sportskeeda.

Fan Tributes and Social Media Movements

  • #ThankYouKohli trended worldwide on X within hours of the announcement, with millions of tweets sharing favorite innings, emotional GIFs, and personal stories of inspiration.

  • Candlelight vigils and fan gatherings sprang up outside iconic stadiums from Eden Gardens to Lord’s, accompanied by impromptu renditions of fan chants, whistles, and posters reading “Run Machine, Run Forever.”

A fan group in Mumbai even projected a tribute video onto the Gateway of India façade, illustrating Kohli’s cover drives in giant silhouette—a testament to his cultural impact beyond sport.

International Media Coverage

  • The New York Times hailed him as “the world’s most famous cricketer, a sight to behold in whites” and lamented the vacuum his exit would leave in Test lineups Hindustan Times.

  • The Guardian noted that Kohli’s “intensity and fitness revolution” made him second only to Tendulkar in redefining Indian Test cricket The Guardian.

  • ESPNcricinfo compiled over 50 social-media reactions from players and fans, emphasizing his role in making “fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard” ESPN Cricinfo.

What Critics and Analysts Are Saying

While overwhelmingly positive, some analysts raised questions:

  • Form vs. Farewell Debate: Critics noted Kohli’s recent dip—averaging just 10.93 in his last 15 innings—as a factor in his timing .

  • Captaincy Record: During his Test captaincy (2022–2025), India won 12 of 24 Tests—an improvement but below expectations set by predecessors.

  • Leadership Transition: With Gill, Pant, and Rahul in contention, experts argue Kohli’s mentorship will be as vital off the field as it was on it.

Even these critiques acknowledged that no player leaves Test cricket without treasures and trials—and Kohli’s legacy outweighs any statistical footnotes.

 An Era Ends—but a Legend Lives On

Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket closes a chapter marked by:

  1. 31 Test centuries across five continents.

  2. Fitness benchmarks that transformed team culture.

  3. Captaincy highs including a historic series win in Australia.

  4. Global icon status transcending cricketing borders.

Yet, as Kohli himself wrote, “I’ve given everything I had, and Test cricket gave me back more than I could have hoped for.” His words ring true for millions whose lives he touched—on and off the field.

FAQ (Rich Snippets)

Q1: When did Virat Kohli announce his Test retirement?
A1: He announced his retirement on May 12, 2025, via an Instagram post The Guardian.

Q2: How many runs and centuries did Kohli score in Tests?
A2: Kohli scored 9,230 Test runs, including 30 centuries, over 123 matches .

Q3: Who are the leading contenders to succeed Kohli as Test captain?
A3: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul are among those viewed as potential successors Reuters.

Q4: Will Kohli continue playing in other formats?
A4: Yes, he will remain active in ODIs.

Q5: How did celebrities like Ranveer Singh react?
A5: Ranveer Singh described Kohli as “one in a billion,” praising his passion and legacy India Today.

From the boundary ropes to the red-ball grace, Virat Kohli’s Test retirement sparked an outpouring of respect and nostalgia worldwide. While the format may miss his running between the wickets, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations to chase excellence—on and off the field.

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