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In a poignant column for The Times, former England captain and acclaimed cricket writer Michael Atherton offered a heartfelt tribute to Virat Kohli following his retirement from Test cricket. Atherton did not hold back in describing the magnitude of Kohli’s departure, noting that his exit signals the end of a golden chapter in the history of Indian cricket.
Michael Atherton’s emotional farewell to a modern-day giant Virat Kohli
According to Atherton, Kohli was not just a cricketer but a symbol of passion, charisma, and purpose who carried the weight of expectations for over a decade. The announcement, while expected due to speculation in Indian media, hit with a heavy emotional note nonetheless, bringing to an end a career that spanned nearly 15 years and changed the face of Indian Test cricket forever. Atherton noted that Kohli was not merely a prolific batsman but a relentless leader who fought for his team’s pride in every situation, home or away.
“Farewell then to Test cricket for one of the best, most charismatic and influential players of my lifetime. Virat Kohli’s retirement from the five- day game was anticipated, with reports emanating from India about his intentions late last week, but that does not lessen the magnitude of the moment, the going of a figure who continued to hold Test cricket dearest of all, and to fight his country’s corner with relentless determination and pride, signals the end of an era in Indian cricket,” Atherton wrote.
Atherton admired how Kohli never allowed the growing commercialism of the game to overshadow the value of red-ball cricket. For a player who had already cemented his status in ODIs and T20Is, it would have been easy to pull away from the longer format. Instead, Kohli doubled down, leading India to historic overseas wins, demanding a new fitness culture, and often sacrificing personal milestones to ensure team success. Atherton emphasized that Kohli’s legacy in Tests is not just about centuries and runs but also about the intensity, pride, and visibility he gave to the format globally.
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“These are not glib words, designed to put a final gloss on a superb Test career, but deeply felt. No one who has watched Kohli since his debut in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2011 could doubt that he has put his heart and soul into it – not only into the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League or World Cups for his country, but also into those less illuminated moments in Test cricket, when the game is drifting, the shadows lengthening and thoughts turning to evening rest. He brought all his energy and attention to bear on every moment of his 123 Tests. He gave it everything,” the former cricketer added.
Virat Kohli makes the cut in Atherton’s list of 4 most charismatic cricketers
One of Atherton’s most striking tributes came when he ranked Kohli among the four most charismatic cricketers he had ever seen. In that elite list, Kohli joined legends like Sir Vivian Richards Imran Khan, and Shane Warne, players known for their aura, personality, and the ability to draw the gaze of a stadium. Atherton elaborated that Kohli had a magnetic quality that made it impossible to look away whenever he was on the field.
“More than anything, Kohli had great presence as a cricketer; you could not take your eyes off him. He was one of the four most charismatic cricketers I have seen, alongside Viv Richards, Imran Khan and Shane Warne. He was sometimes no angel, of course, as the shoulder bump on young Sam Konstas in the last year’s Boxing Day Test would concede, and he could be petulant and short- tempered, but the ledger is very much in his favour. The game has been enriched by his presence,” Atherton concluded.
His expressive celebrations, confrontations, and body language gave a human face to elite performance, making him relatable and riveting at once. Atherton did not shy away from admitting Kohli had his flaws. Yet, in Atherton’s view, these moments of passion only emphasized Kohli’s humanity. His shortcomings made his highs even more spectacular.
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