Virat Kohli reveals why he retired from Tests as he admits he is growing old - 'Just coloured my beard'

Ritabrata_Banerjee

Virat Kohli reveals why he retired from Tests as he admits he is growing old - 'Just coloured my beard' image

Virat Kohli is at the twilight of his international career. The Indian stalwart decided to hang up his boots from the T20I format first in the summer of 2024, just after winning the T20 World Cup.

A year later, only a month before India's much-anticipated tour of England, the former captain decided to call it quits from the Test format, thereby bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career.

Kohli followed in India captain Rohit Sharma's footsteps, who announced his retirement from the longest format just a few days before his announcement.

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In the absence of the two superstars in the dressing room, the Indian team has ushered in a new era with Shubman Gill leading the side.

Under the young skipper's leadership, India did not have the ideal start to the England series as they lost the first match at Headingley. But Gill and Co. bounced with a statement victory at Edgbaston.

READ MORE: IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Full Playing XIs confirmed

Why did Virat Kohli retire from the Test format?

Kohli attended his ex-India colleague, Yuvraj Singh's charity dinner party in London on Tuesday. On the sidelines of the occasion, the star India batter was quizzed on his sudden decision to quit the red-ball format, to which he humorously replied: "I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days."

Check: IND vs ENG 3rd Test: What is India's record in Tests at Lord's?

What next for the Indian cricket team?

The Indian cricket team will be back in action on Thursday, July 10 as they take England in the third Test of the series at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. 

Ritabrata_Banerjee

Ritabrata is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition