In a scene that took social media by storm, former India cricket captain Virat Kohli was recently spotted in London sporting an unrecognizable new look. Fresh off a blockbuster appearance in the IPL 2025 finalthe 36-year-old has been enjoying well-earned downtime with his family abroad. Kohli, known for keeping a low profile away from cricket, rarely makes public appearances or shares updates — heightening the intrigue when photos of his dramatic transformation surfaced. The shocking grey beard, a stark contrast to his usual well-groomed persona, sent fans into a frenzy and sparked widespread reactions online.

Virat Kohli’s viral reinvention send fans into frenzy

Kohli’s absence from the cricketing circuit has been the talk of fans across India and beyond. After a whirlwind IPL season, Kohli traveled to London and stayed mostly out of the limelight. That changed when a photo of him alongside Shash kiran went viral — instantly becoming the subject of memes, debates, and adoration across social platforms. In the snap, Kohli was almost unrecognizable with a thick, grey beard, leaving many fans in disbelief.

Social media erupted in a flurry of posts, with some fans jokingly questioning if cricket’s most intense competitor had truly lost his hunger for the game. Others suggested his latest look hinted at retirement or signaled a new chapter in his career. Adding fuel to the speculation was Kohli’s own comment at Wimbledon 2025, where he lightheartedly attributed his Test retirement to the effort of keeping up with his changing beard: “Just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” he quipped to Vijay Amritraj.

Kohli’s retirement rumors and the road ahead

Kohli’s new look hasn’t just sparked style trends—it’s also ignited a wave of retirement rumors. Now 36 and active in only one cricket format, Kohli previously bid farewell to both Tests and T20Is, narrowing his focus on ODIs with one eye firmly set on the 2027 World Cup. His candid remarks about the toll of weekly beard coloring amused many but also resonated as a metaphor for the immense pressure and responsibility senior athletes carry.

Looking forward, Kohli’s next expected appearance won’t be until October, during India’s ODI tour of Australia. With increasing uncertainty around selections for both Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup, fans are left guessing about the future of two of India’s most influential players. Until then, Kohli’s surprising London appearance and viral grey beard have offered a glimpse into the personal side of a sporting icon whose every move—on or off the field—captures the imagination of millions.

Here’s how fans reacted: