IPL 2025: Manjrekar And Bangar Call Virat Kohli's Test Career ‘Legacy In Itself’ After Fans Dress In White

What did Virat Kohli do in Test cricket? He made it 'watchable and popular' among the younger generation. His decision to walk away from the red-ball format while still at his peak, Sanjay Bangar said, is the hallmark of a great sportsman.

Saturday's IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Chinnaswamy was washed out due to rain. But what stood out was not the cricket, but the crowd.

In a rare gesture, thousands of fans turned up dressed in white -- not for a Test match, but to honour Kohli’s retirement from the longest format. As white-clad fans filled the stands, a flock of white birds flew across the stadium, creating a surreal and almost poetic tribute.

Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar praised the moment: “The love that the fans have for Virat Kohli, it’s something special. This was an IPL night match, and fans came dressed in whites to commemorate a moment in Indian cricket history. That’s a beautiful gesture.”

“He made Test cricket watchable and more popular,” Manjrekar added. “We often say no player is bigger than the game, but during a time when Test cricket was struggling to engage fans, Virat gave it the attention it desperately needed.”

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket during the IPL break that followed rising border tensions between India and Pakistan. He bows out with 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. As a captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them -- the most by any Indian skipper.

“He’s still playing in the IPL, but he always had the desire to keep Test cricket alive,” Manjrekar continued. “As a captain, I’ve never seen an Indian Test skipper who managed to keep the intensity so high, even when the team wasn’t doing well or when things were drifting. That’s a legacy in itself.”

Sanjay Bangar joined the praising with similar emotions, defending Kohli's exit. “It was a sad day for me personally. He was a giant of his era. I tried to reason with him – there were still a few good years of Test cricket left in him. But he had made up his mind,” he said.

“He was convinced about the timing, and once he made that decision, there was no going back. In our country, letting go is not always appreciated, but Virat chose the right moment. He retired when people were still asking ‘why now?’ – and that’s often the hallmark of a great sportsman.”

Currently, after , Royal Challengers Bangalore top the points table with 17 points from 12 matches. Gujarat Titans sit close behind in second place with 16 points from 11 games.

Sunday promises an exciting IPL doubleheader, with Rajasthan Royals hosting Punjab Kings, followed by Delhi Capitals facing Gujarat Titans. Find out how today’s results could shake up the playoff race HERE.