Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has opened up about her feelings after the legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket last Monday (May 12). She reflected on her memories to reveal the reason why Kohli was so special to her. 

Virat Kohli was a special cricketer in Test cricket

The 36-year-old Virat Kohli is now only active in the ODI format. The right-handed batter recorded 9230 runs in 123 Tests with an average of 46.85. He scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his Test career, including seven double-centuries, with the highest score of 254*. Kohli was also India's most successful Test captain with a record of 40 wins in 68 matches. 

Kohli was a very special cricketer in the Test cricket format. Many experts have never doubted calling him one of the greatest cricketers in modern-day Test cricket. His passion for this format made Test cricket more powerful. Preity Zinta also revealed similar feelings after Kohli retired from the Test.

See Also: Shreyanka Patil pens down emotional notes on Virat Kohli's Test retirement

I saw test cricket mainly for Virat: Preity Zinta on Virat Kohli

On her social media account, the PBKS co-owner claimed that she saw Test cricket mainly for Kohli, who brought the passion and much character into the game with his competitiveness and top desire. She feels that Kohli's absence will challenge Test cricket heavily.

While Ravichandran Ashwin, the latest captain Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli have recently retired from Test cricket, the Bollywood actress believes that it is an important and challenging time in Indian cricket too, where the present Indian cricketers will have to fill the special shoes.

I saw test cricket mainly for Virat. He infused so much passion and so much character into the game with his competitiveness & the desire to excel. I don’t think test cricket will ever be the same again. I wish him well and all the best for his future. Our current Indian players… https://t.co/XOkwATJtr7

— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) May 13, 2025