Virat Kohli's Retirement From Test Cricket Shocks UAE Fans
- Publish date: Monday، 12 May 2025 Reading time: 1 min read
UAE fans scrambling to adjust travel plans after Kohli announces his Test cricket retirement just ahead of India’s England tour.
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In a surprising turn of events, Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, leaving his loyal fanbase in the UAE in shock, especially those who had planned to watch India’s upcoming five-match series against England.
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Kohli’s decision to step away from the format came on Monday via an Instagram post, just five days after his teammate Rohit Sharma made a similar announcement.
The 36-year-old batsman, who has been a pillar of Indian cricket with 123 Test appearances, had many fans, especially in the UAE, eagerly anticipating one last chance to see him play in England.
The series, scheduled to start on June 20, now feels incomplete to those who had booked flights and tickets in advance, hoping for one final Kohli performance on English soil.
“I knew this would’ve been Kohli’s last series in England, but I didn’t expect him to announce his retirement so abruptly,” said Dubai-based investor Shankar Sharma, who had tickets for the third Test at Lord’s in July. “First Rohit, now Virat… it’s disappointing.”
Others, like Piiyush Singh, co-founder at Vistas Media Capital, are cancelling entire trips. “I literally just called my agent to book tickets,” he said. “Now I may have to cancel everything.”
From Dubai’s cricket nights to dreams of witnessing Kohli’s cover drives at Lord’s, this sudden retirement has sent shockwaves. Kohli’s emotional post didn’t make it easier to digest: “I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude... I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”
#269, signing off — but not before breaking some cricket-loving hearts in the UAE.