Following Virat Kohli’s announcement to retire from Test format on Monday, his wife — Bollywood actress — Anushka Sharma wrote a heartfelt note on her Instagram post.
The Bollywood actress said she would remember Virat’s unshown tears and secret battles, saying “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 further added that after every Test series, he had evolved, turning a little wiser and humble. Moreover, she said it had been her privilege to see him evolve.
Sharma added she had imagined how he would have retired from international Test cricket, adding “But you’ve always followed your heart, and so I want to say my love, you’ve earned every bit of this goodbye.”
The 36-year-old Indian batsman, who debuted in 2011, ends his red-ball career with 9,230 runs and 30 centuries in 123 matches, averaging 46.85.
Kohli confirmed the decision via Instagram, calling Test cricket a format that tested and shaped him. “It’s not easy — but it feels right,” he wrote. “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
The Indian stalwart’s final Test was against Australia in January, marking the end of a glittering career in which he also became India’s most successful Test captain.
Kohli led his side in 68 matches, winning 40, losing just 17, and taking the team to the finals of the 2021 and 2023 World Test Championships.
India’s next Test assignment is a five-match series against England beginning June 20.
