He was seeking a new purpose -- something to reignite his passion and spark a personal resurgence. But under the current team management, Kohli felt that he wasn't getting the environment, autonomy, or energy he needed.
Questions will remain as to why he ended his Test career at the age of 36, despite being one of the fittest cricketers, and why he didn't wait to cross the 10,000-run mark, observes veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Though Kohli had an exciting challenge ahead of him in the five-Test series in England, the end seemed near for India's most successful Test captain.
It's all for you -- the fans: Kohli, Patidar dedicate RCB's triumph to faithfuls
RCB batting coach Karthik, who has shared the same dressing room with Kohli and has been with him since the announcement of the surprising decision, revealed the 36-year-old is enjoying the sport.
Gill scored a sensational 269 in the first innings and followed it up with 161 in the second-earning comparisons to Don Bradman from Shastri himself.
Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable chapter in his illustrious career.
Rohit won the 'Player of the Match' award and the 'Player of the Series' award as well for top-scoring in the series with 202 runs, including a century and a fifty each.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni warmly hugged Virat Kohli before they shared a brief yet heartfelt conversation.
No communication from Rohit on playing Vijay Hazare for Mumbai: MCA official
Virat Kohli has been with RCB since the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, including nine seasons as captain of a franchise that made the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but lost every time.
According to a report Kohli had originally planned to announce his retirement on May 7-the same day Rohit Sharma bid farewell to the format
Expect some fireworks for the highly-versatile Cameron Green along with Quinton de Kock, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
Grind pays off for Ruturaj Gaikwad, now upto him and luck to prove his 50-over mettle.
Kohli, who has been with RCB since the tournament's inception has been facing a lean patch.
Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket stemmed not from a decline in skill but from the toll the game had taken on him over the years.
Anushka Sharma, 37, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram praising her husband.
Virat Kohli on Monday announced his retirement from Test cricket, after a 14-year career.
Cheteshwar Pujara refuses to believe India's recent poor record at home is because of transition.
Virat Kohli and wife Anushka Sharma arrived in Mumbai on Thursday, a couple of days after winning the IPL title.
While Kohli didn't resume batting after the incident, the Indian coaching staff said the injury is not serious, and he is expected to be fit for the final.
The towering presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian ODI team can only help newly appointed captain Shubman Gill grow as a leader, said Axar Patel.
Ollie Pope believes the young Indian side, led by a 'fantastic' Shubman Gill, has plenty of depth and talent, but it will miss the aura of Virat Kohli
Virat surprised me, he had at least 2-3 years of Test cricket left in him: Shastri
'It was good fun. I was obviously really nervous. Super stoked for the boys to get the win.'
The contrast between Iyer's selflessness and Kohli's perceived self-interest fuelled online discussions, with many interpreting Shastri's comment as a veiled critique of Kohli's actions.
'Don't bring up this whole age issue that he is touching 40.' 'He's fit, batting well and catching brilliantly at slips.' 'What else do you need?'
Traditionally carved from top-quality willow, famous bat-makers, source the bulk of their willow wood from Kashmir.
Over four decades, the India-Australia ODI rivalry has mirrored the evolution of both teams, from Australia's supremacy in the 2000s to India's resurgence post-2010. Come Sunday, this rivalry will be renewed as Shubman Gill will commence his first assignment as ODI captain in the opening game of the three match series, at the Optus stadium in Perth.
Chappell said Kohli's exit from Tests marks a "seismic shift in energy".
A formal complaint has been lodged against Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter Virat Kohli Cubbon Park Police Station in Bengaluru on Friday by social activist H M Venkatesh.
It won't be easy for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to remain fit and find a place in India's ODI World Cup squad in 2027, said former captain Sourav Ganguly.
Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 in Delhi wasn't just another century; it was history etched in numbers and intent.
Under-fire India head coach Gautam Gambhir says it is up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India to decide his future after the Test series whitewash against South Africa, but he reminded everyone of the success the team has achieved during his tenure at the helm.
Kohli, who announced his red-ball retirement via Instagram earlier this month without a farewell match, received an ovation of a different kind.
Sack Gambhir before he damages any more careers, if you must. But it cannot stop there. The project ahead must be bigger, more ambitious, and far more urgent: Rebuilding the spine of Indian cricket from the grassroots up, and giving the Test team the seriousness it deserves. Only then will Indian cricket stop lurching from one crisis to another and begin, once again, to imagine greatness, suggests Prem Panicker.
Kohli's innings, laced with five boundaries and five towering sixes, wasn't just about fireworks-it was historic.
Virat Kohli said nothing is more satisfying than excelling in Test cricket.
Virat Kohli gave Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans a brief scare during their IPL 2025 clash against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday
'One of the things I love about Virat's thought process on the game is, it is always the aggressive option.'
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