Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. At 36, the former Indian captain has left behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. His teammates have taken to social media to pour out their emotions and share their memories of playing alongside the batting legend.
Teammates Pay Tribute
Mohammed Siraj’s emotional post on Instagram featured photos of both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with a broken heart emoji between them. Siraj’s post captured the pain of seeing two of his teammates and friends hang up their boots. Shubman Gill wrote a heartfelt post, recalling how he was inspired by Kohli’s energy on the field when he was just 13. Gill hopes that future cricketers will draw inspiration from Kohli’s passion and intensity.
Anything I write for you, paji, will never truly capture what I feel or the impact you’ve had on me.
From watching you bat when I was 13 and wondering how someone could bring that kind of energy to the field – to sharing the field with you and realizing no one else possibly can… pic.twitter.com/s6LhnPWbNK
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) May 12, 2025
Mohammed Shami praised Kohli’s passion and commitment, saying they will inspire millions of young cricketers. “Virat, you’ve left an indelible mark on Test cricket,” Shami tweeted. “Your passion was infectious, your fire relentless, and your legacy will inspire generations.”
Virat, you’ve left an indelible mark on Test cricket. Your passion was infectious, your fire relentless, and your legacy will inspire generations.. Thank you for everything. Happy retirement, legend.. @imVkohli #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/xpK6LQKyga
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) May 12, 2025
Rishabh Pant, currently in the mix for the Indian Test captaincy, remembered Kohli’s intensity and passion on the field. “The intensity, the passion, the fight – you gave it your all, every single time!” Pant tweeted. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has emerged as a star in the Indian team, credited Kohli and Rohit Sharma for inspiring him to chase his dreams.
A Lasting Legacy
Kohli’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. He played alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Gautam Gambhir, and has left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. As the cricketing world bids farewell to Kohli, his teammates and fans will cherish the memories of his incredible career.