Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 12: As the cricketing world absorbs the news of Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, actor Anushka Sharma took to social media on Monday to share a heartfelt tribute to her husband, offering an intimate perspective on the emotional and personal toll behind the legendary cricketer’s career in whites.
In a moving Instagram post, Anushka reflected on the unseen battles and sacrifices that defined Kohli’s 14-year-long journey in the longest format of the game.
“They’ll talk about the records and the milestones — but I’ll remember the tears you never showed, the battles no one saw, and the unwavering love you gave this format of the game,” she wrote.
Anushka’s tribute revealed the emotional side of Kohli’s pursuit of greatness, applauding his ability to emerge wiser and humbler after every series. Her message continued:
“I know how much all this took from you. After every Test series, you came back a little wiser, a little humbler — and watching you evolve through it all has been a privilege.”
While she admitted to imagining his retirement in whites someday, she acknowledged that Kohli has always followed his instincts.
“Somehow, I always imagined you’d retire international cricket in whites — but you’ve always followed your heart, and so I just want to say my love, you’ve earned every bit of this goodbye.”
Anushka also shared a cherished photo from India’s landmark 2018 Test series win in Australia, where Kohli led the team to its first-ever red-ball series triumph on Australian soil — a defining moment in Indian cricket history.
Kohli’s Glorious Test Journey
Kohli, 36, finishes his Test career with a remarkable legacy:
- 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, average of 46.85
- 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a best of 254*
- Fourth-highest run-getter for India in Tests, behind Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar
Making his debut in 2011 against the West Indies, Kohli had a forgettable start but quickly turned things around with a breakout century at Adelaide in 2012. His rise coincided with the decline of India’s senior batting greats, and he soon took over the mantle of leadership and responsibility.
From 2011 to 2015, he amassed nearly 3,000 runs in 41 Tests. But it was between 2016 and 2019 that Kohli hit a golden patch, scoring 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, including 16 centuries and seven double tons — a record for any Test captain.
However, the 2020s proved challenging. His form dipped, with 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at an average of 30.72, despite a mini-resurgence in 2023, where he scored 671 runs in eight matches.
Final Innings and Everlasting Impact
Kohli’s final Test series was the 2023–24 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored 190 runs in nine innings, including a fighting century in Perth. His last ton before that came against the West Indies in July 2023, and his final home century was against Australia in Ahmedabad earlier that year.
Despite battling technical vulnerabilities — notably against deliveries outside off and quality spin — Kohli’s adaptability and hunger for success never waned.
He leaves behind a legacy of:
- Fierce overseas performances — including 692 runs in the 2014-15 Australia tour
- Redemption in England in 2018 with 593 runs, banishing memories of his 2014 failure
- Leading India to two ICC World Test Championship finals and historic away wins
- Elevating India’s fitness culture and setting a new benchmark for Test cricket intensity
A Champion’s Goodbye
Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket signals the end of an era. His legacy transcends statistics — it’s built on a blend of aggression, resilience, and passion that changed the face of Indian cricket.
As Anushka poignantly summed up, “You’ve earned every bit of this goodbye.”