With his Test and T20I careers behind him, will one-day international cricket be next for him?
Virat Kohli's latest appearance on the cricket field has left fans in a flurry of speculation and nostalgia, as the Indian cricket legend sports a grey beard. However, despite the widespread rumours, Kohli's grey beard is more symbolic of his maturing phase and prior retirement from Tests, rather than a confirmed signal of retiring soon from ODIs.
In a surprising turn of events, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is in June 2024 and Tests in May 2025. Although his latest appearance has sparked conversations about Kohli's future in cricket, there is no official confirmation that the grey beard indicates an imminent ODI retirement.
Kohli jokingly mentioned earlier in 2025 that he colors his beard frequently due to the greys, relating it to his retirement from Test cricket. However, his current grey beard look has led to fan concerns and rumours about the possible end of his ODI career.
The Indian men's cricket team will not play any international matches in August 2025. Instead, they will travel to the United Arab Emirates in September to participate in the Asia Cup 2025, which will be played from September 9 to 28. The premier continental event will be played across two venues in the UAE.
Following the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian team will travel to Australia for a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series. The next two ODI matches between India and Australia will be played on October 23 and 25 in Adelaide and Sydney, respectively. The first ODI between India and Australia is scheduled to take place at Optus Stadium in Perth on October 19.
While fans are eager to see Kohli back in action, they can rest easy knowing that the Indian cricket star is currently focusing on ODIs and no official statement from Kohli or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed an ODI retirement.
In the first couple of weeks of October, India will face the West Indies in a two-match Test series at home. The second Test between India and West Indies will be played in Delhi from October 10 to 14.
Kohli's transformation marks a poignant phase in the career of one of cricket's greatest modern players. Despite the grey beard, fans can look forward to seeing Kohli back on the field in October 2025.
[1] India Today (2025). Virat Kohli's Grey Beard Sparks ODI Retirement Speculation. Retrieved from www.indiatoday.in
[3] Hindustan Times (2025). Virat Kohli's Grey Beard: Fans Speculate ODI Retirement. Retrieved from www.hindustantimes.com
[4] NDTV (2025). Virat Kohli's Grey Beard: Fans Worried About ODI Retirement. Retrieved from www.ndtv.com
[5] ESPNcricinfo (2025). Virat Kohli's Grey Beard: No ODI Retirement Confirmed. Retrieved from www.espncricinfo.com
Although fans have been discussing the possibility of Virat Kohli retiring from ODIs due to his grey beard, there is no official confirmation about it. Football enthusiasts, on the other hand, are eagerly awaiting Kohli's potential appearance on the soccer field, especially after his popularity and impact in the sport of cricket.
