Virat Kohli, much like Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, instilled a winning mentality in the Indian Test team. Kohli’s emphasis on pace bowling, highlighted by Jasprit Bumrah’s emergence, mirrored Pataudi’s reliance on spin. Kohli unified the team through fitness and a relentless pursuit of excellence, evident in their historic series wins in Australia.
Gautam Gambhir is now the most influential figure in the Indian cricket setup. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirements, a new era begins. The focus shifts to nurturing young talent for the Test team. Former selectors emphasise the need to support players like Rishabh Pant. There is also a need to replenish both pace and spin bowling resources.
Virat Kohli recently retired from Test cricket. Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans plan a special tribute. Supporters will wear white at the upcoming IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders. The match is scheduled for May 17, 2025, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Fans aim to celebrate Kohli’s Test legacy. A social media campaign encourages participation.
Virat Kohli’s sudden Test retirement has prompted widespread tributes, recognising his significant impact on Indian cricket. He filled the void left by Sachin Tendulkar as a prolific batter and by MS Dhoni as a transformative captain. Kohli concluded his Test career with 9,230 runs and a record of 40 wins in 68 matches as captain.
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has vehemently denied reports of his impending Test retirement. Shami lashed out at an online portal for falsely claiming he would follow Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in stepping away from Test cricket. He affirmed his availability for the upcoming England tour, dismissing the article as the “worst story of the day.
Preity Zinta, Bollywood actor and Punjab Kings co-owner, addressed a sexist question from a fan on X. The question was regarding Maxwell’s performance. Zinta questioned the gender bias in corporate and sports environments. She highlighted the challenges women face in male-dominated fields. Zinta also praised Virat Kohli’s contribution to Test cricket after his retirement.
Cricket South Africa wants its players back from the Indian Premier League by May 26. This is for the World Test Championship final. Eight players are in the final squad. Discussions are ongoing with IPL and BCCI. Players will gather in England on May 31. A warm-up match against Zimbabwe is planned. The IPL schedule changed due to border tensions.
Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy recounted a harrowing experience during the IPL 2025 in Dharamsala. A security threat, involving a reported airspace breach, triggered an emergency evacuation. Players and families were rushed to safety amidst confusion and fear, with stadium lights blacked out. The IPL was temporarily suspended but has since resumed with a revised schedule and heightened security measures.
Following Virat Kohli’s Test retirement announcement, paparazzi at the Mumbai airport expressed their disappointment, stating they would no longer watch cricket. Kohli, accompanied by Anushka Sharma, politely declined photos due to time constraints.
Preity Zinta expressed her admiration for Virat Kohli’s transformative impact on Test cricket following his sudden retirement. She highlighted his passion, character, and competitiveness, suggesting the game won’t be the same. Zinta also acknowledged the significant void left by Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ashwin, emphasizing the challenge for current players to fill their shoes.