‘Will Miss You, Cheeks..’: Head Coach Gambhir Bids Emotional Farewell to Kohli

May 12, 2025: Virat Kohli’s unexpected announcement to retire from Test cricket on Monday sent shockwaves across the cricketing world. While fans and former players expressed disbelief and admiration, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir said the decision didn’t surprise him.

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Speculation around Kohli’s Test future had already intensified in recent days, with reports suggesting that the veteran batter was unwilling to travel to England next month for the start of India’s new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. His decision was confirmed just hours after he and wife Anushka Sharma were spotted at the Mumbai airport, sparking further speculation.

Reacting to Kohli’s announcement, Gambhir took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “A man with lion’s passion! Will miss u cheeks….” The message, both emotional and affectionate, reflected Gambhir’s deep respect for the former captain and their long-standing camaraderie.

Kohli’s legacy in Test cricket is formidable. In a career spanning over 13 years, he played 113 Tests, scored 8,848 runs at an average of 49.15, and notched 29 centuries. More than just the numbers, it was his aggressive leadership and unwavering intensity that redefined India’s approach to the longest format. Under his captaincy, India scaled new heights, including reaching the No.1 Test ranking and making it to the inaugural WTC final.

In his retirement note, Kohli 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… I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.”

While Kohli’s departure leaves a significant void in Indian Test cricket, it also opens the door for a new generation of players to step up. As India gears up for the England series and beyond, the influence of Kohli’s era—marked by discipline, aggression, and excellence—will be deeply felt.