From military briefings to IPL franchises getting emotional, Virat Kohli’s retirement announcement brought the sentimentality out of Indians of all hues on Monday.
The franchises united as one in paying short tributes in social media posts as the truth of his exit sunk in. Easily the most influential Indian cricketer of last decade and four years, Kohli’s retirement also brought our emotional waves from franchises which are otherwise rivals. But on the day, it was unfettered love for him as well as Rohit Sharma as it finally sunk in that both will no longer play in whites.
While Rajasthan Royals were bombastic I calling his presence o. The field ‘absolute cinema’, Delhi Capitals expressed waves of sadness at his exit. Kolkata Knight Riders echoed the romantic’s heart by posting, “Koi toh Ro-Ko” – someone stop Kohli and Rohit.
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Kohli’s franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru and arch rivals Chennai Super Kings both showed their innate love for Test cricket revisiting Kohli’s iconic
“For 60 overs they should feel Hell out there,” huddle talk that inspired a Test win. CSK recalled Perth and Virat.
RCB was effusive as expected. “But his legacy lives on, etched in time and carved in pride. ♾️🥹
& Thank you, Virat Kohli, for the fire, the bravery, and the unmatched passion. ❤️🔥 & You didn’t just play this format, you elevated it. 👑🫡”
Sunrisers Hyderabad noted that both Hitman and King had “inspired an entire generation and made all of India proud” while thanking Kohli for redefining Tests. LSG ran a reel asking him if he could review retirement through DRS.
Mumbai Indians kept it short and sweet saying, ‘Farewell, Cap #269 🫡🇮🇳’
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Both KKR and GT had their captains pen messages for Kohli. Ajinkya Rahane said, “It’s been a special journey sharing the field with you. So many great memories and partnerships together.” While Gill penned a heartfelt post pledging to carry forward his Test legacy.
Here’s a selection of their posts:
RAJASTHAN ROYALS
You made it feel like Absolute Cinema, every day out of five. Thank you, Virat Kohli 🇮🇳👑
You made it feel like Absolute Cinema, every day out of five.
Thank you, Virat Kohli 🇮🇳👑 pic.twitter.com/5yhpDAWTtK
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 12, 2025
DELHI CAPITALS
The King may sign off but his legacy won’t 👑 Thank you, Virat 🐐 & Didn’t think it would be the last one in whites 😔 & We weren’t ready for this 🥺 & 14 years on this planet felt like seconds while watching you bat, King 🥹🫰
The King may sign off but his legacy won’t 👑
Thank you, Virat 🐐💙 pic.twitter.com/elOvPKELkx
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 12, 2025
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
A career that’s a testament to Test cricket’s spirit! Thank You, Virat Kohli! 🇮🇳 & The Celebration. The Aggression 💥💯 & LEGENDARY THROUGHOUT! ⏬✨The field will miss you in whites, Virat! 🇮🇳 & The BGT Glory 🏆✨ & For 60 overs they should feel hell out there” 💥 & Perth & Virat >>>>✨
A career that’s a testament to Test cricket’s spirit!
Thank You, Virat Kohli! 🇮🇳#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/M3iUaKnbek
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 12, 2025
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
The 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 bids adieu! #269 💙♾️ & Koi toh RO-KO…! 🥺💙 & A heartfelt message from Ajju to Virat 🥹💙 “It’s been a special journey sharing the field with you. So many great memories and partnerships together.
The 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 bids adieu! #269 💙♾️ pic.twitter.com/NmtMJvY7Gv
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 12, 2025
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
Inspired an entire generation and made all of 🇮🇳 proud 🤍🙌 Thankyou, Hitman & King & Thank you, Virat, for redefining Test cricket 🇮🇳
Inspired an entire generation and made all of 🇮🇳 proud 🤍🙌 pic.twitter.com/lGHsU3g7Pn
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 12, 2025
PUNJAB KINGS
This is what 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 do! & Lived it. Loved it. Conquered it. & RO-KO Forever! ❤️ & Cap ➡️ 269 Memories ➡️ Infinite Thank You Kohli! ❤️
This is what 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 do! pic.twitter.com/MP3UQSOtdJ
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 12, 2025
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU
Set the highest standards and lived by them! 💯 & Virat Kohli, 🇮🇳’s most successful Test captain ever! 🫡 & Countless moments. One unshakable legacy! 👑 & Standing in the hall of fame, 🐐 The world’s gonna remember your name, 🙇♂️ The man with the brightest flame. 🔥 #ThankYouVirat 👑 & The Greatest Ambassador of Test Cricket. Period. 🐐 #ThankYouVirat 👑 & This will go down as the greatest pep talk in the history of Test Cricket. ❤️🔥 We’ll miss this. #ThankYouVirat 👑 For 60 overs they should feel Hell out there & The curtain falls on a monumental Test Era & But his legacy lives on, etched in time and carved in pride. ♾️🥹 & Thank you, Virat Kohli, for the fire, the bravery, and the unmatched passion. ❤️🔥 & You didn’t just play this format, you elevated it. 👑🫡 & The walk, Those shots, Those expressions, Those celebrations. We’ll miss them all. We’ll miss them all. ❤️🩹 #ThankYouVirat 👑 & Thank You, Virat. #269 👑 & Test Cricket will never be the same again! 🥺
Set the highest standards and lived by them! 💯
Virat Kohli, 🇮🇳’s most successful Test captain ever! 🫡#ThankYouVirat pic.twitter.com/C15ZKbAWxK
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 12, 2025
LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
Retirement ka decision review ho sakta hai kya? 🥹 & जो ख़त्म हो किसी जगह, ये ऐसा सिलसिला नहीं 🫶 & Now watching: No. 18’s No. 81 💙 & Simply the best 🐐 & Thank you for the Virat memories in whites, King 👑
जो ख़त्म हो किसी जगह, ये ऐसा सिलसिला नहीं 🫶 pic.twitter.com/NdVfrktiR4
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 12, 2025
GUJARAT TITANS
No.18 in whites, No.1 in our hearts 💙 & From the fire in his eyes to roars that shook stadiums, he redefined Test cricket for India 🇮🇳 Thank you, King 👑 & B𝗥𝗢𝗞𝗢DE forever 💙🇮🇳 & Frim Prince to King
“Anything I write for you Paaji will never capture what I feel or what impact you’ve had on me.
From watching you bat when I was 13 and wondering how someone could bring that kind of energy to the field – to sharing the field with you and realising no one else possibly can. You’ve not just inspired a generation, you’ve reshaped mindset of millions. I know how much Test cricket meant to you and I hope our generation can carry forward the same fire and commitment. Thankyou for everything. Happy retirement.”
No.18 in whites, No.1 in our hearts 💙
From the fire in his eyes to roars that shook stadiums, he redefined Test cricket for India 🇮🇳
Thank you, King 👑 pic.twitter.com/Ff4wMctlsH
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 12, 2025
MUMBAI INDIANS
Farewell, Cap #269 🫡🇮🇳#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai pic.twitter.com/AJpPr2BTB7
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 12, 2025
Farewell, Cap #269 🫡🇮🇳
