Virat Kohli opens up on Test retirement for first time since breaking hearts: ‘When you colour your beard every 4 days…'
"I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it's time when you are colouring your beard every four days," said Kohli when insisted by Gaurav Kapur to join Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle and Darren Gough on the stage.
On May 12, Kohli took to Instagram to write a lengthy Instagram post, announcing his retirement from Test cricket, a format he vouched for right through his career. "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."
Virat Kohli retired after playing 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs from 210 innings at an impressive average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.58. He has hit 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, including 7 double hundreds, with a highest score of 254. His 7 double centuries are the most by an Indian. Kohli has also struck 1,027 fours and 30 sixes in Test cricket. A pivotal figure in India's overseas successes, Kohli was also the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018–19).
Kohli's retirement came just five days after captain Rohit Sharma called it quits from red-ball cricket. Ever since then, Kohli has kept himself away from making any comments on cricketing affairs. He ended the hiatus by congratulating new India Test captain Shubman Gill on his record-breaking 269-run knock against England in the second Test.
Calling Gill a "star boy," Kohli wished the Indian captain all the best for his future. He also expressed his joy after India beat England by 336 runs to draw level in the five-match series. Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma, were also spotted attending a Wimbledon round of 16 men's singles match between Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur.
During the event, Kohli was seen in a jovial mood, catching up with his former teammates and even opponents like Kevin Pietersen.
Kohli also shared details about his bond with Yuvraj Singh, with whom he won the 2011 ODI World Cup.
"We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. I met him for the first time during a North Zone tournament in Bangalore. When I started playing for India, him, Bhajju pa and Zaheer Khan took me under their wings. They really helped me grow as a player and made me comfortable in the dressing room. A Lot of fun times off the field and made me aware of the lifestyle of getting to the top. These are the bonds I will cherish for the rest of my life. Watching him in the World Cup was very special and what we got to know after that was a shock. Being so close to him... we had no idea. Then his battle with cancer and again the champion that he is... coming on top and making a comeback to the team when I was leading the team."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Diversifying literature for Delhiites
When Vesmir moved to Delhi from Madhya Pradesh in 2019, he realised that the metropolis provided him with a golden opportunity to connect with other readers. But he also noticed a difference in how Delhi reads — there were people who only wanted to read 'elite' literary works, those who preferred contemporary authors and didn't want to challenge themselves with other genres and access to reading communities was reserved for specific groups of people. When it comes to reading, your community should not be a privilege, he says, and that was what made him start Tangerine in January last year, with a group of vibrant readers. The group meets once a month for themed discussions, movie screenings, and author meet-and-greets. 'When I started Tangerine, the goal was to make people read the books I loved… but I wanted to diversify and make people read books of all genres,' says Vesmir. But when he announced Tangerine would expand beyond readingWestern and Indian authors, the attendance at the monthly meetings dropped. To bring in more people, Vesmir began organising movie screenings and activities like themed drawing and blackout poetry. 'Today, Tangerine has a mix of people — college students, working professionals, authors ...but still, sometimes, it is a struggle to get people to read what they don't want to,' says Vesmir. He is committed to bringing books that are not considered 'mainstream' to Delhi's reading community. For instance, this month, the community plans on reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang, a South Korean author, and had previously picked up The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka. By bringing these books into spotlight, Vesmir aims to introduce readers to varied writing styles, fresh topics, and diverse cultures. Cultural unfamiliarity and language barriers also pose challenges to readers in the city, he says. Authors such asOcean Vuong, who writes in English and in lyrical style, tend to be more popular among the readers. Despite translated works often being the most palatable for the community of readers, introducing people to new concepts and authors has its benefits, feels Vesmir. 'Social media continues to be the bedrock of my initiative as I am able to reach out to more people and arrange collaborations,' he adds.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Kasa ahes?': American woman's sweet Marathi surprise for husband melts the internet, sparks collective 'Awww'
An Instagram video showcasing Candace, an American woman, greeting her husband Aniket in Marathi has gone viral, capturing hearts with its display of love and cultural connection. Candace's efforts to speak her husband's native tongue, including phrases like "Shubh Sakal" and "Kasa ahes?", elicited a heartwarming reaction from Aniket, sparking admiration online for their authentic and empathetic bond. An Instagram video showcasing Candace, an American woman, greeting her husband Aniket in Marathi has gone viral, capturing hearts with its display of love and cultural connection. (Screenshots: Instagram/ thekarnes ) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Love Translated, Quite Literally Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In a world constantly scrolling for the next feel-good story, a small gesture wrapped in love, language, and laughter has captured millions of hearts. A video posted by a couple on Instagram has gone viral for all the right reasons—showing just how powerful it can be to speak someone's language, both literally and video, shared by the Instagram account Aniket & Candace, opens with Candace—an American woman—greeting her husband, Aniket, in Marathi, his native tongue. With a cheerful 'Shubh Sakal' (Good morning), she takes her first steps into the language of his roots. What follows is a moment of stunned silence, followed quickly by a proud, heart-melting smile from astonishment grows as Candace continues: 'Kasa ahes?' (How are you?), and later, 'Raatri jevayla kaay ahe?' (What's for dinner?). The video, captioned 'I'm not perfect but I'm trying. Go easy on me,' has now crossed over 1.7 million views, with thousands chiming in to celebrate the beauty of the clip isn't just a sweet couple's moment—it's become a cultural touchstone online, resonating with multilingual couples and language lovers around the globe. In the age of rapid communication, where emojis often substitute real effort, Candace's attempt to learn her partner's language has sparked admiration and media was quick to respond. One commenter wrote, 'That smile when you were talking to him in his native language was like, 'This is why I love this woman.'' Another said, 'He is low-key so proud.'And the most cheeky suggestion? 'Next time say 'aho aika' and watch him blush.'Learning a partner's language is often seen as a symbolic gesture—one that bridges cultures and deepens bonds. What makes this video unique is not just Candace's Marathi, but the authenticity behind every syllable. It's a reminder that even imperfect words can be perfect when spoken with love.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
20 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Mallu to post 2025's 2nd-biggest opening?
After two years, Pawan Kalyan is set to return to the big screen. Hari Hara Veera Mallu, his highly anticipated period actioner, has been eagerly anticipated by fans. The movie has created a lot of buzz before its debut, and early estimates indicate it will have a strong start at the box office. Krish Jagarlamudi is the director of Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which is scheduled for release on July 24. Early estimates suggest the movie could open as Tollywood's second-highest grosser of 2025, behind only Ram Charan's Game Changer. Hari Hara Veera Mallu Box Office Collection Day 1 The teaser for the movie has already had a significant impact on social media, and fans' excitement is evident. However, according to Koimoi, the movie will still fall well short of Vakeel Saab, which brought in Rs 40.1 crores on opening day. Despite its massive budget reportedly exceeding ₹300 crore, early projections suggest a relatively underwhelming day 1 collection at the Indian box office, raising concerns about the film's initial reception. According to estimates, Hari Hara Veera Mallu would have the second-largest opening for Tollywood in 2025. Except Ram Charan's Game Changer, which opened at a whopping 54 crore, this movie is likely going to surpass every Telugu film released this year. The Pawan Kalyan film is anticipated to surpass the first-day earnings of Kuberaa (14.75 crores), Sankranthiki Vasthunam (23 crores), Daaku Maharaaj (25.35 crores), and HIT: The Third Case (21 crores). About Hari Hara Veera Mallu cast and plot The upcoming Telugu-language period action-adventure movie 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu': Part 1 – Sword vs. Spirit is set in the Mughal Empire of the 17th century. The film is directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A.M. Jyothi Krishna, while the screenplay was written by Jagarlamudi and Sai Madhav Burra. The story revolves around Pawan Kalyan's character, renowned criminal Veera Mallu. Important parts are also played by Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, Nora Fatehi, and Satyaraj. Primary photography for the movie, mostly in Hyderabad, started in September 2020 after the announcement was made in the January of the same year. In May 2025, the filming came to an end after multiple delays. The renowned M.M. Keeravani wrote the soundtrack. After years of production, the movie recently obtained a UA certificate after passing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) process. It takes two hours and forty-two minutes to complete. No significant changes or cuts have been requested by the board. More news on Hari Hara Veera Mallu Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan will not be included in the Hari Hara Veera Mallu commercial campaign, producer AM Rathnam previously said. In the coming months, Pawan Kalyan, the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, is anticipated to be heavily involved in political duties. The actor's absence from promotional activities, especially those aimed at pan-India viewers, was clarified by AM Rathnam during a recent press conference.
