Just days after Virat Kohli shocked fans across the globe by retiring from Test cricket, a clip of him was shared online that raised new eyebrows. In the video, Kohli is caught emerging from a vehicle with a bag held in one hand and a small gadget held in the other, whatever many believe to be a ‘Jaap counting machine’.
“Virat with a Jaap counting machine in hand is the sweetest thing you’ll ever see,” went the video’s caption posted on X by a fan. The clip soon gained attention of fans and ended up going viral on all platforms.
A Jaap counter is a button-operated digital display device, usually held in the hand, which is used to count chants, mantras, or affirmations. The use of a clip left everyone thinking if Kohli was following a more spiritual way after leaving the game’s longest format.
Take a look:
Virat holding a Jaap counting machine in his hand is the cutest thing you’ll see ? pic.twitter.com/o1DuhON86K
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) May 15, 2025
Fans had mixed reactions online, with some praising Kohli’s new persona and others being cynical or amused. “Virat bhai, where did you come from, quitting cricket?” one of them posted. Another said, “Cricket chhod ke baba banega pakka.” Another asked, “What’s cute here?” and another said, “Pura different insaan ban gye.”
Kohli’s note announcing his Test retirement added to the emotional quotient of the video. Looking back at his career, he posted on social media, “It’s been 14 years since I put on the baggy blue for the first time in Test cricket. Honestly, I never dreamt the ride this format would take me on. It’s tested me, moulded me, and taught me lessons that I’ll carry for life. There’s something very personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the endless days, the little things that nobody notices but linger with you for eternity.”
As Kohli fans accept his goodbye to Test cricket, his subtle display of what can only be described as a spiritual trinket has only engendered curiosity about his next adventure.
