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Among the many tributes that poured in from around the world on Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, one stood out for its emotional depth and intimacy, that of his wife, Anushka Sharma. The actress, who has long stood as Kohli’s anchor in both highs and lows, penned a moving post on Instagram.
Anushka Sharma breaks silence with emotional letter to Virat Kohli on Test farewell
Anushka wrote that while people would remember the records and milestones, she would remember the unseen tears, the inner battles, and the devotion that went unnoticed by the public eye. She described how after every Test series, Kohli returned home a little wiser, a little more humbled, having given another piece of himself to the game. Her words revealed the quiet suffering, the mental toll, and the personal sacrifices behind the roaring crowd and glowing headlines.
“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 of the game. I know how much all this took from you. After every Test series, you came back a little wiser, a little humbler, and watching you evolve through it all has been a privilege,” Anushka wrote.
Also READ: Here’s why Virat Kohli’s Test retirement is a smart, timely decision
In perhaps the most heart-touching line, Anushka admitted that she had always imagined her husband walking away from international cricket in whites, but respected that he followed his heart till the very end. Kohli responded to the post not with words, but with a string of heart emojis, an understated acknowledgment of a love that has weathered not just the glare of stardom but the emotional intensity of an athlete’s journey.
“Somehow, I always imagined you’d retire international cricket in whites .But you’ve always followed your heart, and so I just want to say my love, you’ve earned every bit of this goodbye,” Anushka concluded.
A champion bows out of Test cricket with massive achievement
- Kohli finishes his Test career with:
- 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85
- 30 centuries, placing him among India’s greatest Test batsmen
- 123 Test caps, including a highly successful captaincy tenure
- India’s fourth-highest run scorer in Tests, behind Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar
As captain, Kohli elevated India’s intensity and global dominance in red-ball cricket, especially overseas. His legacy includes a historic Test series win in Australia (2018-19), consistent performances in England and South Africa, and a culture of supreme fitness and discipline.
Though Kohli has retired from both T20Is and Tests, he is expected to continue playing One-Day Internationals (ODIs), much like his long-time teammate and current India Test captain Rohit Sharma, who also retired from Tests last week. Anushka and Virat, parents to daughter Vamika and son Akaay, have embraced a quieter life away from the limelight in recent years. Anushka has taken a step back from acting, focusing on raising their two children and supporting Kohli through the final phases of his cricket journey.
Also READ: Cricket fraternity hails Virat Kohli after his retirement from Test cricket
