August 8, 2025: A recent picture of cricketer Virat Kohli with a grey beard has gone viral, leaving fans concerned about his future in the sport. The image has sparked widespread speculation that the former India captain might be considering retirement from ODIs, the only format he has not yet stepped away from.
The fears are rooted in a joke Kohli made last month following his retirement from Test cricket, where he said, “I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days.” This remark, coupled with his new grey-bearded look, has fueled concerns that he may be hinting at his impending departure from the 50-over format as well.
Kohli officially retired from T20Is on June 29, 2024, after leading India to a World Cup victory, and from Test cricket on May 12, 2025. He is currently in England with his family. While he had previously stated his intention to continue playing ODIs, the viral picture has reignited the discussion among his fans, who are now anxiously awaiting any clarification on his future.