A recent picture of star cricketer Virat Kohli has gone viral on social media, sparking a fresh wave of concern and speculation among fans about his future in One Day International (ODI) cricket. The image, taken in London with a fan, shows Kohli with a noticeably greying beard, a striking detail that has led many to believe that the end of his illustrious career might be closer than anticipated.
The picture has become a topic of intense discussion, with fans expressing a mix of nostalgia and worry. The sentiment is fueled by a previous light-hearted comment from Kohli himself at a charity event in London, where he joked, “You know it’s time when you’re colouring your beard every four days.” While the comment was made in the context of his Test retirement—which he announced in May—fans have now connected it to his changing appearance as a possible hint about his ODI career.
A Series of Retirements and the Road Ahead
The viral photo comes after a period of significant career changes for the veteran batsman. Kohli retired from T20Is last year following India’s T20 World Cup triumph and shocked the cricket world by announcing his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year. With ODIs being the only format he is now actively playing for India, his recent appearance has naturally led to questions about his longevity.
However, recent reports suggest that Kohli is not done yet. He has reportedly resumed training in London and is expected to make his international comeback during India’s tour of Australia in October, which includes a three-match ODI series. This indicates that while he is scaling back his commitments, his focus remains on the 50-over format, with the 2027 ODI World Cup reportedly a key target.
Despite these plans, a source from the BCCI told PTI that a “clear plan” is needed for the next World Cup, as both Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be nearing 40 by then. The board is expected to have “honest and professional conversations” with the senior players about their future roles, suggesting that their spots are not automatically guaranteed.
For now, the picture of Kohli with his greying beard remains a visual reminder for fans of the passage of time. While a retirement announcement may not be imminent, the speculation highlights the deep emotional connection fans have with one of cricket’s modern legends as his career enters its final chapters.
