As the cricketing world continues to digest the news of Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has offered a refreshing and grounded perspective on the decision. Rather than speculating about the “why,” Chhetri urged fans and followers to instead celebrate that Kohli is content and at peace with his choice.
Chhetri and Kohli share more than just national colours—they are two of Bengaluru’s most beloved sporting figures. While Chhetri has led Bengaluru FC with unmatched passion, Kohli has carried the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on his shoulders for over a decade. Their bond transcends sports, rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and years of friendship.
Earlier this year, Chhetri came out of retirement to wear the national football jersey again, bringing millions of fans joy. Kohli, in contrast, left many heartbroken after calling time on an illustrious red-ball career that spanned 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries.
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Reacting to the announcement, Sunil Chhetri told Star Sports, “I’m not surprised at the decision. But knowing that he’s at peace, I’m happy for him.” He continued, “Knowing Virat, he wouldn’t have made this call lightly. Especially with Test cricket—it’s his favorite format. We’ve all seen the passion he brings to the whites. For him to walk away, even when he’s still performing well and fans are pleading for one more season, it must have been a deeply personal and tough decision.”
Much of the public conversation has revolved around whether a dip in form may have contributed to Kohli’s decision, but Chhetri dismissed that narrative, pointing instead to the life of an athlete away from the field.
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“At some point, every sportsperson reflects on their priorities,” Sunil Chhetri explained. “You begin to wonder—am I giving enough time to my family? Is the grind still worth it? These are deeply personal questions. And unless you’re in that space, you can’t truly understand the weight of the decision.”
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Using Kohli’s recent IPL form as a reference point, Sunil Chhetri emphasised that performance certainly wasn’t the issue. “Just a few days ago, I watched him play live—RCB vs CSK. He was incredible. His hunger to win, his energy on the field—none of that had faded. So clearly, this wasn’t about form. It was about what he feels is best for him and his loved ones at this stage in life.”
Chhetri concluded with quiet admiration: “There’s so much more that goes into a decision like this than fans realize. And ultimately, only Virat could make that call. He’s done what’s right for him—and if he’s at peace with it, then so am I.”
Kohli’s departure from Test cricket marks the end of an era—but as Chhetri so aptly put it, it’s a moment to honor his journey, not question its ending.
