May 17, 2025, saw Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium transformed into a white sea as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) supporters came out to pay tribute to Virat Kohli after his surprise retirement from Test cricket. The moving tribute, which began on social media, had supporters wearing white India Test jerseys with images of Kohli's name and number on them, creating a touching ambience in the stadium.

In spite of the incessant rain that ultimately forced the match to be abandoned without a single ball bowled, the fans' loyalty was not to be shaken. They kept chanting Kohli's name, reflecting their immense respect and admiration for cricket's very own legend. The sea of thousands of fans in white jerseys reflected the immense influence Kohli has had on Indian cricket and its fans.

The fans were also treated to Virat Kohli's phenomenal Test career numbers on the giant screen at the stadium which was greeted with huge roars from the drenched Bengaluru crowd too.

Watch the video here:

Painting the M. Chinnaswamy in white 🤍🏟

A fitting salute to the legacy of the legendary Virat Kohli 🫡 #TATAIPL | #RCBvKKR | @RCBTweets | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/NnQuJvdjbQ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2025

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"No sendoff, but all heart: fans celebrate Kohli's test legacy in uplifting tribute"

"It's a very sudden retirement. We had wished for him to have a sendoff game. He should have had a sendoff game. That will now not happen unfortunately. He is the outright GOAT of Test cricket, and this should be a Test match for him." A fan commented regarding Kohli's retirement.All from the small screens to the large ones, all carried just one name in white and blue and that was 'Virat 18' on the evening. It would have been another spectacle if the match had actually been played and fans would have been eager to watch how their hero responds to the touching tribute as well.

This salute not only emphasized Kohli's legacy but also proved that there was something special about the relationship between a sporting legend and his fans. Despite the adversity, the devotion of the fans to pay tribute to Kohli's service to Test cricket was clear, and the day became one for the books regardless of the weather. With the IPL 2025 season continuing, the fans' tribute remains a testament to Kohli's lasting influence on the sport and his strong bond with his fans.