Virat Kohli Surprised by Fan’s ‘Why Did You Retire?’ Comment Upon Return to Mumbai

Virat Kohli’s sudden announcement of his retirement from Test cricket on Monday morning has left fans across the country in shock. While there had been whispers for days that he might not travel to England for the upcoming Test series, few were prepared for the confirmation. When the news finally dropped via a quiet Instagram post, it felt like the end of an era.

Kohli, who dominated the format between 2014 and 2019 and redefined India’s approach to red-ball cricket, decided to step away after 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, and 40 wins as captain — the most by any Indian skipper.

A day after making the announcement, Kohli returned to Mumbai from Vrindavan, where he had spent some quiet time with wife Anushka Sharma. But at the Mumbai airport, what was supposed to be a routine walk to his car took an emotional turn. As paparazzi greeted the couple, one comment from a shutterbug caught everyone off guard — including Kohli himself.

“Kohli sir, aapne galat kiya… retirement kyun liya? Ab hum cricket hi nahi dekhenge. Main ab cricket nahi dekhunga,” said the photographer. (“Sir, you did wrong… Why did you retire? Now we won’t watch cricket anymore. I won’t watch it at all.”)

Kohli looked visibly surprised — maybe even a little moved — by the emotional reaction. It was a rare, unscripted moment that showed just how deeply his retirement is being felt, not just by fans in stadiums but by everyday people who’ve followed his journey for years. Anushka, walking beside him, kept a calm face, saying nothing as they made their way to the car.

The paparazzi also requested a photo, but Kohli, clearly in a rush, gently told them he’d take pictures next time — probably referring to his upcoming travel to Bengaluru ahead of the IPL.

Kohli is set to join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the Indian Premier League 2025 resumes on May 17. RCB’s next match is against Kolkata Knight Riders — and fans will be hoping the Test retirement means he’s even more focused for the rest of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Kohli and Anushka’s visit to Vrindavan drew attention online. Videos of the couple seeking blessings from spiritual leader Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj went viral. In one clip, the guru can be seen gently asking Kohli, “Are you happy now?” — a question that many fans might have wanted to ask too.

Kohli’s decision has left a void in the hearts of cricket lovers, with 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and a legacy that will be hard to match. He wasn’t just a player, he was a force, a leader, and for many, the face of Indian Test cricket.