Virat Kohli’s bond with Test cricket during his most celebrated years earned him a reputation as one of the game’s true ambassadors. That’s why his decision to step away from the longest format exactly a year ago still feels surprising to supporters around the world. Even today, any mention of Test cricket triggers a wave of online reactions—fans rewatching old moments, revisiting his record, and repeatedly urging him to make a comeback. That conversation reignited after Kohli posted a short video on Instagram featuring a key figure from his early cricket life: his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma.
Kohli’s tribute video with Rajkumar Sharma
The clip runs for two minutes and 11 seconds and begins with Kohli explaining that he had visited the coach who has known him since he was eight years old. In the video, Kohli credits Sharma for teaching him the finer details of the sport and for playing a major role in shaping the cricketer he went on to become.
After sitting beside Rajkumar Sharma, Kohli reveals that he brought him a present. He then hands over a pair of shoes designed to look like a cricket ball. The visual design immediately brings back memories for Sharma, who connects it to the “red-ball format” that has always remained close to his heart.
Sharma also recalls the kind of guidance he used to pass on to Kohli—particularly advice about leaving deliveries outside the off stump ahead of tours to England. The moment ends with Sharma wishing Kohli well.
The message behind the shoes and the caption
Kohli captioned the post as a tribute to the coach behind everything he achieved in cricket. In the text, he wrote about how, roughly twenty-five years ago, someone took a bet on a boy—referring to his first coach, Rajkumar Sharma. He also described Seam XVIII as a tribute to cricket, adding that the first pair of shoes belongs to the man who made it possible. Kohli further noted that while he has held trophies and lifted cups, handing Sharma the box “hit different,” framing it as a personal way of thanking the coach for teaching him the game that gave him everything. He closed with his message of gratitude: “Thank you, Sir. Always.”
Reactions from fans as Kohli’s Test legacy returns to centre stage
After the video spread widely across social media, fans highlighted how emotionally connected Kohli still appears to be to Test cricket. Many supporters went a step further by calling on the selectors—naming chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir—suggesting that Kohli is “just one call away” from returning to the format.
For context, Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025. He ended his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches, striking at an average of 46.85. His record includes 30 centuries and seven double hundreds. Since stepping away from Tests, he has remained active only in ODI cricket, and the 2027 World Cup is widely seen as his likely final international assignment.
