Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, recently posted a heartfelt message for Virat Kohli on X, which quickly went viral. Despite past differences, it seems they’ve settled things in the Indian dressing room. Kohli, 36, has had a remarkable Test career, playing 123 matches and scoring 9,230 runs with 30 centuries at an average of 46.85. Gambhir tweeted, “A man with lion’s passion! Will miss you, Cheeks…”—a nickname that dates back to their time playing for Delhi together.
A man with lion’s passion!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6
Jay Shah, the ICC chairman, also congratulated Kohli, saying, “Congratulations @imVkohli on a stellar Test career. Thank you for championing the purest format during the rise of T20 cricket and setting an extraordinary example in discipline, fitness, and commitment.”
Congratulations @imVkohli on a stellar Test career. Thank you for championing the purest format during the rise of T20 cricket and setting an extraordinary example in discipline, fitness, and commitment. Your speech at the Lord’s said it all – you played Tests with heart, grit,… pic.twitter.com/sYBhJ5HhJI
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 12, 2025
Kohli’s last Test series in Australia didn’t go as planned; he only managed one century. Although he finishes his career below the 10,000 run mark, he’s still a giant in the format, with seven double centuries—the most by an Indian, ahead of cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. Even as T20 leagues gained popularity, Kohli’s presence helped keep fans interested in Test cricket.
