Anushka Sharma on Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement: “You’ve Earned Every Bit of This”
Actor Anushka Sharma shared a heartfelt note following husband Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of a legendary 14-year journey in the longest format of the game. Kohli, 36, announced his decision on May 12 through an emotional statement on Instagram, just ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley.
In her touching message, Anushka paid tribute not just to Kohli’s achievements on the field, but also to the unseen sacrifices behind the scenes. “They’ll talk about the records and the milestones — but I’ll remember the tears you never showed, the battles no one saw, and the unwavering love you gave this format,” she wrote. “Somehow, I always imagined you’d retire from international cricket in whites. But you’ve always followed your heart — and my love, you’ve earned every bit of this goodbye.”
Kohli, in his own statement, reflected on the deeply personal nature of Test cricket. “There’s something special about playing in whites — the quiet grind, the long days, the moments no one sees but that stay with you forever,” he wrote. “It’s not easy to step away, but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me so much more in return. I leave with a heart full of gratitude.”
The former Indian skipper retires with an impressive record: 123 Tests, 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He made his debut in 2011 against the West Indies and scored his first Test hundred the following year in Adelaide against Australia.
Outside of cricket, Kohli recently addressed a social media controversy after he unintentionally liked a fan post of actor Avneet Kaur. Clarifying the incident, he posted on Instagram: “While clearing my feed, it appears the algorithm mistakenly registered an interaction. There was absolutely no intent behind it. I request that no unnecessary assumptions be made.”
Anushka and Virat, married since 2017, are parents to two children — daughter Vamika and their newborn son Akaay.
