Virat Kohli, the celebrated Indian cricketer, has addressed his Test retirement publicly for the first time, speaking at a charity event organized by YouWeCan, the foundation of former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh. The event was attended by cricket luminaries such as Chris Gayle, Ravi Shastri, Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Brian Lara, and Ashish Nehra. Kohli’s remarks came during an interaction with host Gaurav Kapoor, who managed to elicit a response from Kohli about his retirement decision. Kohli humorously mentioned that he had just colored his beard two days prior, suggesting that frequent grooming was a sign of aging. This light-hearted comment was his way of acknowledging the passage of time and the natural progression of a sports career. During the event, Kohli expressed deep gratitude towards his former head coach Ravi Shastri. He credited Shastri for providing unwavering support during his formative years in Test cricket. Kohli emphasized the clarity and backing he received from Shastri, which he believes were crucial to his success. He fondly recalled how Shastri shielded him from media scrutiny, allowing him to focus on his game. Kohli also reminisced about his early days in the Indian cricket team, sharing anecdotes about his camaraderie with Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan. He highlighted the mentorship and friendship he received from these senior players, which helped him acclimate to international cricket. Kohli spoke warmly of Yuvraj’s resilience in overcoming cancer and making a triumphant return to the team. Reflecting on memorable matches, Kohli recounted a 2017 series against England where Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni played pivotal roles in securing victory after an early collapse of the top-order. Kohli expressed admiration for Yuvraj’s performance and reiterated his respect and affection for him. The event underscored Kohli’s enduring bonds with fellow cricketers and his appreciation for those who have been instrumental in his journey. His comments provided insight into the personal relationships that have shaped his illustrious career.