In what may turn out to be one of the most poignant moments of the IPL 2025 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) supporters are preparing to provide Virat Kohli with a nostalgic farewell at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in their last league home game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 17.
Fans of the franchise are planning to show up in Test whites a nod to Kohli’s iconic stature in the longest format of the game and his immense contribution to Indian Test cricket. The visual tribute aims to honor Kohli not just as an IPL legend, but also as one of India’s greatest Test captains.
The movement, while unofficial, is quickly gaining momentum on social media. Several Kohli fan clubs and RCB support groups have already appealed to other fans to join in the gesture, asking everyone who attends the match to wear white instead of the traditional red and gold representing the franchise.
A Gesture Beyond T20 by RCB fans for Virat Kohli
While IPL is famous for its high-octane T20 action, cricket fans are opting to pay tribute to Kohli’s legacy in the game’s purest format. Kohli, India’s Test captain from 2014-2022, transformed the team’s red-ball cricket approach with his aggressive attitude, fitness-based culture, and unwavering quest for greatness.
Under his captaincy, India topped the ICC Test rankings, won classic away series in Australia, and came very close to a World Test Championship title in 2021.
Virat Kohli Announces Retirement from Test Cricket
The planned tribute comes just days after Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket through a heartfelt Instagram post. The announcement shocked fans across the world, marking the end of a glorious 14-year red-ball career that saw him become one of India’s all-time greats. Kohli’s decision to step away from the format sparked an outpouring of tributes from cricketers, analysts, and fans alike.
Potential Last Dance at Chinnaswamy?
While Kohli still plays for the IPL, when and how much emotion went into the gesture has generated much speculation regarding whether this could be his last home outing in an RCB shirt in the Chinnaswamy. With the team’s yo-yoing performance this season, there are still qualification possibilities, yet the KKR match remains RCB’s final booked home match.
No matter what the future may bring, Kohli’s supporters are resolute to make May 17 memorable not only for the side, but for a player who has shaped an era of cricket for India.
