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India’s cricketing giant Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket at the age of 36, marking the end of an iconic chapter in red-ball cricket.
With 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, and a captaincy record of 40 wins in 68 matches, Kohli leaves behind an unparalleled legacy. His announcement triggered an emotional wave across the cricketing world not just from legends and contemporaries, but also from India’s next generation of players, deeply inspired by his journey. Among those who shared their emotions was Shreyanka Patil, India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricketer, who took to Instagram to pen a deeply touching tribute to the man who helped shape her cricketing dreams.
Virat Kohli: A childhood idol turned lifelong inspiration
Shreyanka words weren’t just a farewell; they were a reflection of a generation that grew up idolizing the man in whites who made Test cricket feel alive again.
“It’s been 24 hours and watching people post on Instagram and X has only made me more emotional… not being able to watch Virat Kohli in whites again is something very hard to take. I honestly can’t express what I’m feeling right now,” Shreyanka said.
Shreyanka further revealed that this wasn’t just the retirement of a cricketer. For her, and for many across India, it was the end of an era an era filled with roars, cover drives, fist pumps, and fire. Kohli wasn’t just part of the game; he was the game for a generation of cricket lovers.
“I grew up watching him… from his on-field aggression to his never-say-die attitude, to his iconic words during that England series ‘60 overs of hell’ everything about him lit a spark in me. He didn’t just play cricket, he made you feel cricket,” the 22-year-old added.
Shreyanka said wasn’t just about the runs or centuries. It was about the way Kohli played the game with his heart on his sleeve. His presence wasn’t limited to the scorecard; it resonated in every cheer, every camera pan, and every young player’s dream.
“His celebrations, his emotions after a wicket, his disbelief after getting out — those weren’t just reactions, they were moments etched into history. Test cricket without Virat Kohli… that’s going to hurt. I’ll miss his elegant cover drives, those wristy flicks through midwicket, his pulls, and his sprinting between the wickets. Heck, I’ll even miss his angry glares and his sledging. It all made Test cricket feel epic,” the Indian all-rounder stated.
Shreyas Patil’s shares the magic of Kohli in whites for India
According to Shreyanka, Kohli brought energy to the format many had started to doubt in the age of T20s. He didn’t just play Test cricket; he revived it for a billion people. His intensity was magnetic, from the way he rallied the crowd at Lord’s, to how he celebrated a Mohammad Shami wicket like it was a match-winning six.
“What stood out the most? The way he built this team. The way he believed in his fast bowlers. He turned India’s bowling unit into a lethal force, took overseas wins seriously, and gave everything for victory. He wasn’t just a batter or captain he was a culture shifter,” the RCB player shared.
Shreyanka pointed to Kohli’s leadership beyond just runs his mental strength, his trust in his teammates, and his uncompromising standards. Under him, India became a team that believed it could win anywhere in the world.
“Every time he walked out, I wanted him to score big. I waited for that celebration that roar, that jump, that glare and then I could sleep happy. There’s still so much more to say. But I’m just gutted. I never imagined we’d stop seeing Virat in whites so soon. I’ll miss every little detail his voice behind the stumps, his energy, his absolute refusal to lose. Thank you, King. You’ve been everything,” Shreyanka concluded.
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