What did Virat Kohli do in Test cricket? He made it 'watchable and popular' among the younger generation. His decision to walk away from the red-ball format while still at his peak, Sanjay Bangar said, is the hallmark of a great sportsman.
Saturday's IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Chinnaswamy was washed out due to rain. But what stood out was not the cricket, but the crowd.
In a rare gesture, thousands of fans turned up dressed in white -- not for a Test match, but to honour Kohli바카라s retirement from the longest format. As white-clad fans filled the stands, a flock of white birds flew across the stadium, creating a surreal and almost poetic tribute.
Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar praised the moment: 바카라The love that the fans have for Virat Kohli, it바카라s something special. This was an IPL night match, and fans came dressed in whites to commemorate a moment in Indian cricket history. That바카라s a beautiful gesture.바카라
바카라He made Test cricket watchable and more popular,바카라 Manjrekar added. 바카라We often say no player is bigger than the game, but during a time when Test cricket was struggling to engage fans, Virat gave it the attention it desperately needed.바카라
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket during the IPL break that followed rising border tensions between India and Pakistan. He bows out with 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. As a captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them -- the most by any Indian skipper.
바카라He바카라s still playing in the IPL, but he always had the desire to keep Test cricket alive,바카라 Manjrekar continued. 바카라As a captain, I바카라ve never seen an Indian Test skipper who managed to keep the intensity so high, even when the team wasn바카라t doing well or when things were drifting. That바카라s a legacy in itself.바카라
Sanjay Bangar joined the praising with similar emotions, defending Kohli's exit. 바카라It was a sad day for me personally. He was a giant of his era. I tried to reason with him 바카라 there were still a few good years of Test cricket left in him. But he had made up his mind,바카라 he said.
바카라He was convinced about the timing, and once he made that decision, there was no going back. In our country, letting go is not always appreciated, but Virat chose the right moment. He retired when people were still asking 바카라why now?바카라 바카라 and that바카라s often the hallmark of a great sportsman.바카라
Currently, after , Royal Challengers Bangalore top the points table with 17 points from 12 matches. Gujarat Titans sit close behind in second place with 16 points from 11 games.
Sunday promises an exciting IPL doubleheader, with Rajasthan Royals hosting Punjab Kings, followed by Delhi Capitals facing Gujarat Titans. Find out how today바카라s results could shake up the playoff race HERE.
