Virat Kohli stepped down from Tests in a decision that came earlier this week, and he’ll return to the pitch on May 17 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru host the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kohli and Rahane Reunion During Practice Session
On Thursday, Kohli attended the practice session and hugged Ajinkya Rahane, KKR captain; the two shared the dressing room together for several years in their Indian Test team days, and formed several fond memory partnerships, Rahane being India’s long-standing no.5 batter. The Mumbai batter lost his spot in the Test team in 2023.
Rahane and Kohli stepped out to bat in pairs in the nets and also shared a conversation during each other’s respective teams’ practice at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Their conversation ended with a side hug that brought smiles on both.
The #TATAIPL2025 action is back!
? Location: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/1OitOOMd41
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 15, 2025
IPL Resumes After a Weeklong Pause Amid Tensions
The reunion followed days of a strained week for Indian cricket and the IPL itself, which had been put on hold for seven days following increasing cross-border tensions with Pakistan. With a ceasefire established and military operations toned down, the BCCI declared the resumption of the league, much to the relief of franchises and fans.
Kohli’s sudden announcement on Monday sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Having been synonymous with India’s Test renaissance over the last decade, Kohli made the call to step away from red-ball cricket after 123 Tests, 9230 runs, and 30 centuries.
Rahane Pays Tribute to Kohli on Instagram
Rahane, who played a crucial supporting role in many of Kohli’s finest Test victories, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Kohli. “It’s been a special journey sharing the field with you, @virat.kohli. So many great memories and partnerships together. Congratulations on an amazing Test career!” he wrote on an Instagram story.
New Era Dawns in Indian Test Cricket
Kohli’s was not the sole Test retirement in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma also walked away from Tests last week, and with Ravichandran Ashwin retiring last year, the upcoming five-match Test series in England will be the first in more than a decade without any of the dominant trio.
The pair’s absence will create a huge gap in run-scoring lineage and leadership, and the public is still learning to cope with the new times ahead.
