Gautam Gambhir breaks silence in the retirement announcement of Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket on Monday took many by surprise. However, for India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, it was not unexpected, as he had been closely involved in discussions over the past few days. Reports had already suggested that Kohli was reluctant to travel to England next month, hinting at his possible departure from the format.

Reacting to Kohli’s decision, Gambhir paid tribute to him with a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), calling him a “lion” and expressing his admiration: “A man with lion’s passion! Will miss u cheeks….” His words reflected the respect and deep bond the two cricketers have shared over the years.

Gambhir wishes happy retirement to Virat Kohli

Kohli and Gambhir first played together when Kohli made his India debut in 2008. Over the years, they shared the dressing room across all formats, with Gambhir playing his final international match in 2016, while Kohli continued to lead Indian cricket. Their paths crossed once again when Gambhir took over as head coach of the national team last year, succeeding the legendary Rahul Dravid.

Together, the duo has contributed significantly to India’s cricketing success, winning two major ICC trophies—the 2011 ODI World Cup as teammates and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where Kohli was a player and Gambhir guided the squad as coach. Their association has been marked by moments of triumph and mutual respect, making Kohli’s departure from Test cricket a truly emotional moment for Indian cricket.