Virat Kohli smiles and waves goodbye at airport, drops retirement bombshell later

Dubai: Virat Kohli knows how to hide his emotions. Even under pressure, the ace rarely gave anything away during his playing days — and the smile at the airport was no different. But behind it lay a decision that would stun millions..

Just minutes after being seen at Mumbai airport with wife Anushka Sharma on Monday morning, Virat Kohli took to Instagram to announce his retirement from Test cricket — the format he once called his greatest teacher.

The couple looked relaxed, exchanging smiles and waving at photographers. Kohli wore a beige outfit, Anushka a striped shirt and baggy jeans. After the differences, when she ignored Kohli in Bengaluru, the couple seemed to have made up — their body language now warm and in sync.

“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue… I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude,” Kohli wrote in his farewell post.

Kohli exits with 123 Tests, 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. He is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format, behind only Tendulkar, Dravid and Gavaskar.

His Test journey began in 2011, but it was his gutsy century in Adelaide during the 2012 Australia tour — when others struggled — that marked his coming of age in the longest format.

Leading by example

More than just the runs, Kohli brought energy, intensity and charisma to red-ball cricket. He transformed India’s fitness standards, led by example, and made winning overseas a habit.

Now, with no farewell series or build-up, he’s signed off — quietly, but on his own terms.

Kohli’s Test story may be over, but the legacy he leaves in whites will stand the test of time.