How the cricketing world reacted to the news of Kohli’s Test retirement
ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-20251:38
AB de Villiers: ‘I did get a hint that Kohli would retire’
Virat Kohli on Monday announced his retirement from Test cricket, sparking reactions from the rest of the cricketing world. Cricketers, both current and retired, took to social media to pay tribute to Kohli, who played 123 Tests in 14 years.
As you retire from Tests, I'm reminded of your thoughtful gesture 12 years ago, during my last Test. You offered to gift me a thread from your late father. It was something too personal for me to accept, but the gesture was heartwarming and has stayed with me ever since. While I… pic.twitter.com/JaVzVxG0mQ
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 12, 2025
Can’t believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained. Thank you for the lasting memories you’ve given to everyone, and to me in particular. It’s something I will cherish for life. Go… pic.twitter.com/1te6LFGdMx
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 12, 2025
The intensity, the passion, the fight – you gave it your all, every single time! All the best for what's ahead, @imVkohli bhai.
#RP17 pic.twitter.com/jeKH5mYogS— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) May 12, 2025
Anything I write for you, paji, will never truly capture what I feel or the impact you’ve had on me.
From watching you bat when I was 13 and wondering how someone could bring that kind of energy to the field – to sharing the field with you and realizing no one else possibly can… pic.twitter.com/s6LhnPWbNK
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) May 12, 2025
Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025
Biggest brand of the modern cricket era who gave it all for cricket’s oldest format. Test cricket owes that debt to Virat Kohli.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 12, 2025
Congratulations on a phenomenal Test career, Virat Kohli.
As captain, you didn’t just win matches–you changed mindsets.
You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard.
A true torchbearer of modern Indian Test cricket.#ThankYouVirat pic.twitter.com/rvFAulcMSQ— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 12, 2025
A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025
An exceptional test career, drew crowds but more importantly attention to Test Cricket.
Congratulations on a remarkable Test career @imVkohli your passion and competitive spirit is unmatched. #ViratKohli— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) May 12, 2025
Congratulations Virat on a Test career you can be incredibly proud of! Your passion for the format was inspiring…and it was an honour to share the crease with you over the years, in the heat of many-a-battle, grinding it out for the country! Will cherish the several memories… pic.twitter.com/0Qp9vofOPn
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) May 12, 2025
Test cricket brought out the fighter in you and you gave it everything! You played the way greats do, with hunger in your heart, fire in your belly and pride in every stride. Proud of what you've done in whites. Go well King Kohli! @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ydJBA9W1I8
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 12, 2025
I was overwhelmed with joy when I found out that my idol, the very one I grew up watching dominate in whites for the country, would be the one to hand me my Test cap. ” Cap Number 315, Nitish Reddy” – these words will forever echo in my heart. The energy. The passion. The warmth.… pic.twitter.com/cxLn1jyFG5
— Nitish Kumar Reddy (@NKReddy07) May 12, 2025
Set high standards and lived by them
Not a bad record as captain either,
58.82% win ratio as captain.#viratkohli pic.twitter.com/4ycuG3cB0m— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) May 12, 2025
Your passion & leadership in Test cricket have inspired millions, brother! Love and respect bro @imVkohli
Sad to see you step away, but your legacy will live on. #Legend #thankyouvirat pic.twitter.com/6Ce9Z0wnPj
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) May 12, 2025
Congratulations, veere! Wishing you and the family endless blessings. You’ve been nothing short of outstanding–red-ball cricket will surely feel your absence.
#ViratKohli@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ph05VOmxlS
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) May 12, 2025
Virat?!?!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) May 12, 2025
Virat… the one who stands tall. An innings well played. #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/UlLSS5DEm5
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) May 12, 2025
Test cricket needed the fire that you brought to it. Thank You, Virat. You truly did it your way. pic.twitter.com/jXvZvupS20
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) May 12, 2025
Why Retired ? @imVkohli
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 12, 2025
Numbers will not define Kohli’s Test legacy. They’re just a small fraction of what he did in/for the format.
Virat, you made a whole generation fall in love with Test cricket again. Thank You for your contribution.
Test Cricket will be poorer in your absence.— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 12, 2025
Congratulations to Virat Kohli on a great Test career. Thank you for all the memorable moments in whites.
Wishing you the best for what’s ahead. #ViratKohli— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) May 12, 2025
Hats of to this two legendary gentleman for their great contributions in whites and has inspired millions of people
Congrats and happy retirement from test cricket pic.twitter.com/oJayWYw5W9— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) May 12, 2025
A champion on and off the field, an absolute genius of the game. @imVkohli, playing with you was a sheer pleasure… It's hard to accept that the nation will miss you watching in Test cricket. You will be remembered as one of the greatest legends ever to have graced the game.… pic.twitter.com/u6MrkNUZkx
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) May 12, 2025
The Greatest Indian Cricketer of all times bids adieu to Test cricket …. Thank you Virat Kohli for being a cup of joy to world cricket – kahaan parre ho chakker mein koi nahin hai takker mein … @imVkohli @RCBTweets @BCCI pic.twitter.com/9cQ3KTI8yx
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) May 12, 2025
We first saw @imVkohli in 2008 in Malaysia at the @ICC Under 19 WC. He led India to the title.
Destined to be on the biggest stage which he graced with intense passion and irrepressible skills, he showed us that Test Cricket was to be treasured.
Go well Virat.#ViratKohli— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) May 12, 2025
Played against @imVkohli always a fierce competitor with unmatched passion and hunger. Test and T20 cricket lose a giant. What a ride it’s been! Congrats on an unreal career, champion. You’ve left a legacy that’s built to last. Wishing you the best #ViratKohli #GOAT #Respect pic.twitter.com/QvKFeiufa4
— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) May 12, 2025
Take a bow legend, for you are leaving behind an epic legacy. You make India proud.
Wish you the very best! #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/qso5XWC6gK
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) May 12, 2025