Virat Kohli’s Emotional Test Retirement 2025: Chinnaswamy Stadium Turns White During RCB vs KKR Match – End of an Era

Virat Kohli Indian cricket witnessed the end of an iconic era as Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket during the RCB vs KKR IPL 2025 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The stadium turned into a sea of white, with fans paying tribute to the legend in one of the most emotional send-offs in Indian cricket history.

Kohli, who redefined Test cricket with his aggressive captaincy, unmatched consistency, and passionate commitment, chose this emotional moment to step away from red-ball cricket. Let’s look back at the journey of a modern-day legend and the events that unfolded on this historic night.

A White Farewell: Chinnaswamy’s Tribute to King Kohli

The Chinnaswamy Stadium, usually painted in red during Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) matches, turned white on the evening of May 17, 2025. It wasn’t just another IPL game; it was a moment etched in history. RCB fans, known for their unmatched loyalty, followed the “Dress in White” campaign promoted across social media to honor Kohli’s red-ball legacy.

Chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” echoed through the stands as thousands held placards with messages like:

• “Thank You, King Kohli”
• “End of an Era”
• “Legend of Test Cricket”
• “The Last Stand of the Lion”

The emotional crescendo reached its peak when Kohli addressed the crowd after the match, holding back tears while thanking fans, teammates, and the BCCI for his incredible journey.

Why Kohli Chose to Retire from Test Cricket in 2025

Kohli had been dropping subtle hints about winding down his Test career over the past year. While still an integral part of the RCB setup in IPL 2025, Kohli’s appearances in India’s Test squad had become occasional. He last played a Test in early 2024 and hinted at introspecting his future.

In his farewell speech, Virat said:

“Test cricket gave me purpose, pride, and passion. It built my character. I leave with no regrets but only gratitude. It’s time for the next generation to take over.”

Key reasons behind Kohli’s Test retirement:

• Focus on family and personal life
• Mentoring the next generation in limited-overs cricket and IPL
• Physical and mental fatigue from the longest format
• Desire to retire on his own terms, not due to selection decisions

Kohli’s Glorious Test Career: A Look Back

📊 Virat Kohli’s Test Stats (2011–2024):

• Matches: 123
• Runs: 9,230
• Average: 46.85
• Centuries: 30
• Half-centuries: 31
• Highest Score: 254*

Kohli debuted in 2011 against the West Indies and soon became the face of India’s Test team. Under his leadership, India reached the No. 1 Test ranking and won historic series overseas, including in Australia and England.

🔥 Highlights of Virat Kohli’s Test Career:

1. First Test Century in Adelaide (2012) – Announced himself with style.
2. 2014 England Tour – Struggled but returned stronger, shaping the “New Kohli.”
3. Captaincy Era (2015–2022) – Led India to a new level of aggression and fitness.
4. Historic Win at the Gabba (2021) – Set the tone even in absence.
5. Century at Wankhede (2023) – His last Test century, dedicated to his daughter.

Kohli will always be remembered for combining discipline, dominance, and dignity in red-ball cricket.

Notable Achievements:

• Series Wins in Australia (2018–19)

• Home Dominance with wins against South Africa, England, and New Zealand

• Reached the Final of World Test Championship 2021

• India became the No. 1 Test Team under his captaincy for over 40 months

Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket in 2025: End of an Era in Indian Cricket

RCB vs KKR Match Recap: The Night of Farewell

🏏 Match Summary:

• Fixture: RCB vs KKR, IPL 2025
• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Despite the emotional atmosphere, RCB couldn’t clinch victory match due to the rain.

After the match, an emotional ceremony took place with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and MS Dhoni sending video messages. RCB players wore special “VK18” jerseys and stood in a guard of honor for Kohli as he walked off.

White pigeons flying over M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as a tribute to Virat Kohli

That’s a beautiful and symbolic image—white pigeons flying over M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as a tribute to Virat Kohli would evoke a sense of peace, legacy, and farewell. Here’s a caption you could use if you’re posting this or describing it:

“A flock of white pigeons soaring over Chinnaswamy—perhaps nature’s own tribute to a legend. Virat Kohli, your legacy takes flight.”

A flock of white pigeons flying over Chinnaswamy — even nature and God wanted to give a well-deserved tribute to Virat Kohli on his Test retirement.

“A memorable tribute from fans to the iconic Virat Kohli ❤️ — a true champion who redefined passion, resilience, and cricketing greatness.”

FIFA world cup posted on virat kohli retirement

“Unstoppable. A legend of the game. Congratulations on an incredible Test career, @virat.kohli.”

This gesture from FIFA, the governing body of world football, underscores Kohli’s global impact beyond cricket. His passion, discipline, and excellence have resonated across sports communities worldwide.

In addition to FIFA, several other major sports organizations and personalities honored Kohli’s illustrious career:

• Manchester City: Shared a picture of Kohli and Anushka Sharma holding Man City jerseys, wishing him the best in his retirement from Test cricket.

• Bayern Munich: Posted a photo of Kohli with striker Harry Kane, captioning it, “A true great of the game. Congratulations on an absolutely legendary career.”

• Wimbledon: Shared an appreciation post stating, “Class recognises class,” highlighting the mutual respect between sports.

Click here to see more info…

The Impact of Kohli on Indian Test Cricket

Virat Kohli’s contribution goes beyond numbers. He brought a culture shift:

• Fitness First: Introduced Yo-Yo tests and high-intensity fielding.
• Aggression with Discipline: Never backed down but always respected the game.
• Backed Fast Bowlers: Built India’s most lethal pace attack.
• Promoted World Test Championship: Advocated for the format’s global appeal.

For youngsters like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kohli laid the roadmap.

Fan Reactions: Internet Flooded with Tributes

The retirement news exploded on social media. Here are some fan tweets that trended:

• “Can’t imagine Test cricket without King Kohli. What a ride. Legend forever. 💔👑 #ThankYouVirat”
• “Emotional night. We cried with you, Virat. A billion hearts salute you! #VK18”
• “That white crowd in Chinnaswamy. Goosebumps. End of an era. #ViratKohliRetires”

Trending hashtags:

• #ThankYouVirat
• #KingKohli
• #VK18Forever
• #EndOfAnEra

What’s Next for Virat Kohli?

While he has retired from Test cricket, Virat Kohli will continue to play ODI and IPL. Sources indicate he may take on a mentorship role with RCB or even consider coaching in the future.

There’s also speculation about him being part of India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad, especially with his form in IPL 2025.

Besides cricket, Kohli plans to invest more time in his fitness brand One8, philanthropy through Virat Kohli Foundation, and spending time with his family.

Final Thoughts: The End of an Era, The Start of a Legacy

Virat Kohli’s Test retirement isn’t just the end of a personal journey—it’s the close of a glorious chapter in Indian cricket. With unmatched passion, pride, and performance, Kohli gave every fan a reason to believe in the magic of red-ball cricket again.

As he walked off the field, the cricket world stood still for a moment—not in silence, but in celebration of a legacy that will live on forever. And The cricket world will be miss for test cricket.

Thank you, Virat Kohli. The whites will miss you.

FAQs About Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement

❓Why did Virat Kohli retire from Test cricket in 2025?

Kohli cited personal priorities, physical fatigue, and his desire to retire on his own terms as reasons. He wanted to give the next generation a chance while ending his Test career at a time of his choosing.

❓Will Kohli continue to play for RCB and in ODI?

Yes, Kohli is still active in IPL and is likely to continue playing ODI for at least another season or two.

❓How did fans respond to his retirement?

Fans turned up in white at Chinnaswamy Stadium and flooded social media with emotional tributes, calling it the end of an era.

❓How many Test centuries did Virat Kohli score?

Kohli ended his Test career with 30 centuries, tying him with legendary batsmen like Don Bradman.

❓What are Kohli’s biggest achievements in Test cricket?

• • Leading India to No.1 Test ranking
  • Overseas Test wins in Australia and England
  • Revamping India’s fitness culture
  • Scoring nearly 9,000 Test runs