May 11, 2025: On Mother’s Day, cricket superstar Virat Kohli shared a touching tribute to the two most important mothers in his life—his own mother Saroj Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, who is the mother of their two children, Aakay and Vamika.
Taking to Instagram, the former India captain wrote, “Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers of the world. I was born to one, accepted by one as a son, and have seen one grow into a strong, nurturing, loving, and protective mother to our children. We love you more and more every day.”
His message struck an emotional chord with fans, showcasing his deep appreciation for motherhood and the powerful bond he shares with the women in his life.
While Kohli’s personal life continues to flourish, significant developments are also unfolding in his cricketing journey. According to reports from ESPNCricinfo, Virat has communicated his intention to retire from Test cricket to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This comes just days after Rohit Sharma, his long-time teammate and fellow stalwart, announced his own retirement from the longest format.
Should Kohli confirm his retirement, it would close the chapter on a remarkable Test career spanning 14 years. With 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85—including 30 centuries—he leaves behind a legacy as India’s most successful Test captain, with 40 wins in 68 matches.
Between 2016 and 2019, Kohli enjoyed a golden run, scoring 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an astounding average of 66.79, including 16 centuries. However, the 2020s have presented a different story, with a sharp dip in form. Over the last four years, he has managed only 2,028 runs in 39 Tests, averaging 30.72.
Despite these challenges, 2023 offered a brief resurgence, with Kohli amassing 671 runs at an average nearing 56, including two centuries. Still, he ended the year with a subdued performance, scoring just 382 runs across 10 Tests.
His most recent outing came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored a solitary century in Perth. That knock was a highlight in an otherwise modest series.
Kohli’s potential retirement looms as India prepares to face England in a five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley—a campaign that will also mark the beginning of India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 journey. With Rohit Sharma stepping down, Shubman Gill is currently the leading candidate to take on the role of Test captain.
Despite a dip in performance, Kohli’s experience is still seen as vital by the team management. Whether he decides to play one last series or bows out before then remains to be seen.