New Delhi: Former India captain Virat Kohli recently opened up on his retirement from Test cricket and admitted his age played a key role in his decision. Kohli retired from Test cricket in May this year, ahead of the announcement of India’s squad for their ongoing tour of England. He quit the longest format, just days after Rohit Sharma decided to retire from Tests.
Speaking at a charity event hosted by his former India teammate Yuvraj Singh in London, Kohli said he coloured his beard a couple of days back and has been doing that quite regularly in recent times, an indication that age is catching up with him. Though he remains one of the fittest cricketers around the world, Kohli, who will turn 37 this year, felt the decision to retire was right.
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” the former India captain said at the charity event.
Kohli’s decision to retire came as a surprise to many, as fans and experts felt the star Indian batter still had a couple of years left in his tank for Test cricket. Kohli quit Tests after amassing 9230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. He is the fourth-highest run-getter for India in Tests, behind Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Virat Kohli opens up on his bond with Yuvraj Singh
Kohli also opened up on his close bond with Yuvraj while speaking at the charity event organised by the former India all-rounder. The 36-year-old recalled how the likes of Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan made him feel at home when he first broke into the Indian team and took him under their wings.
“We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. When I started playing for India, Yuvi pa, Bhajju pa and Zak took me under their wings and made me feel comfortable in the dressing room,” said Kohli.
Kohli also recalled Yuvraj’s sensational knock of 150 runs against England in an ODI in Cuttack in 2017 after he made his comeback post his battle with cancer. Yuvraj slammed 150 off 127 balls in the game, while MS Dhoni blasted a brilliant 134 as the duo powered India to a mammoth 381/6 against England. Kohli said watching the match was like watching cricket in childhood for him.
“His comeback after cancer was incredible. I was captain when he returned and played an amazing knock against England in Cuttack — 150, I think. I told someone that day, this feels like watching cricket in our childhood again,” said the former India captain.