Virat Kohli confirmed he’s not finished and still has cricket left to play, dispelling doubts sparked by his ‘white beard’ photo.
Virat Kohli Signals Return to International Cricket, Quelling Retirement Rumors
Virat Kohli is far from stepping away. Despite recent concerns sparked by a photo showing his greying hair, the Indian batting superstar has sent waves of relief and excitement among fans by hinting at a return to international cricket. Earlier, the image had sparked fears of a possible ODI retirement, but Kohli quickly put those rumors to rest with a simple social media update.
Kohli shared a picture alongside Gujarat Titans assistant coach Naeem Amin, both standing in what appears to be an indoor cricket training facility. This suggests that Kohli—who has not played since the conclusion of IPL 2025—has resumed practice, preparing for a comeback expected as early as October.
Virat Kohli's Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/MBWRw6fStx
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 8, 2025
What confirmed Virat Kohli’s training session was Gujarat Titans assistant coach Naeem Amin holding one of Kohli’s iconic MRF logoed bats in his hand. Since the IPL, Kohli has flown under the radar, keeping a low profile with just two public appearances—attending Wimbledon and joining Yuvraj Singh’s ‘YouWeCan’ event in London.
Aside from these, Kohli has largely stayed out of the public eye, sharing only a few posts on X commenting on the Indian team’s performances in Birmingham and at The Oval. In short, he has been in hibernation, quietly preparing for his much-anticipated return.
Virat Kohli’s recent retirements and what the future holds
At 36, Virat Kohli’s cricketing journey has more memories behind him than matches ahead. His retirement from T20Is after India’s World Cup win last year was anticipated, but his shock retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2024—a format he deeply loved—caught fans off guard. The noticeable grey in his beard further fueled fears that an ODI retirement might be imminent.
However, Kohli had earlier stated that playing the 2027 World Cup in South Africa remains his next major goal. Achieving this, though, won’t be easy. A recent PTI report citing a BCCI source revealed that neither Kohli nor Rohit Sharma are automatic selections for the 2027 World Cup, with both players “pushing 40.” The BCCI plans to have an “honest and professional” conversation with them about their futures.
India is scheduled to play 27 ODIs until the end of 2026, with more fixtures lined up in 2027. Kohli will need to participate in these matches consistently to maintain his fitness and form, ensuring he remains indispensable for India’s World Cup squad.