Former India cricketer and current Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir gave a heartfelt tribute to Virat Kohli following the star batter’s retirement from Test cricket on May 12 (Monday). Kohli made the announcement just days ahead of the scheduled selection of India’s squad for the upcoming England tour in June.
The 36-year-old batting legend, who began his Test journey in 2011, departs with a legacy that transformed India’s mindset in red-ball cricket. Notably, Kohli’s retirement from the longest format closely follows skipper Rohit Sharma’s decision to step away from Test cricket.
Gambhir, who had a well-known on-field spat with Kohli during an IPL 2013 clash, was involved in a heated exchange with the star batter after a match, with players from both sides stepping in to break up the confrontation.
However, Gambhir’s tribute to Kohli after the latter’s Test retirement is winning hearts of social media. “A man with lion’s passion! Will miss u cheeks….,” wrote Gambhir.
‘Not Easy, But Feels Right’: Kohli On His Retirement Decision
In an emotional Instagram post, Virat Kohli called Test cricket a deeply personal journey that tested and shaped him, saying his decision to retire wasn’t easy but felt right, and expressed gratitude to the game, teammates, and fans.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever. 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. 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,” Kohli wrote in the Instagram post.
