Over the years, cricket supporters have noticed an interesting pattern. Whenever Virat Kohli has an emotional embrace with an elder player, retirement news is close behind. This has created a fun but thought-provoking debate—is the Kohli Hug a secret farewell sign?

1. MS Dhoni (2020) – The First Clue

The Kohli Hug was first popularized in 2019, during the Cricket World Cup. Kohli was observed having an emotional moment with MS Dhoni, even compelling fans to support him.

Even a year after that, on August 15, 2020, Dhoni had officially retired from international cricket. That was the first time that fans associated a Kohli hug with the retirement of a senior player.

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2. AB de Villiers (2021) – A Farewell at RCB

Kohli and AB de Villiers had a strong connection at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). During IPL 2021, their friendship was clear, with Kohli openly showing admiration for ABD.

Before the season had even finished, de Villiers retired from all cricket. Once again, the Kohli Hug appeared to come before a big retirement.

3. Rohit Sharma (June 2024) – The End of an Era

T20 World Cup 2024 final was a moment of history for Indian cricket. Kohli and Rohit Sharma hugged tightly, both visibly emotional, after India's win.

Soon after, Kohli and Rohit retired from T20 internationals, an end of era in itself. Fans couldn't fail to see the Kohli Hug leaving its indelible mark once more.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin (December 2024) – A Sudden Goodbye

At the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, Kohli was spotted hugging Ravichandran Ashwin following a pivotal game.

Weeks after, Ashwin hinted at his international retirement. With another experienced player leaving shortly after being hugged by Kohli, people could not help but wonder if this was a mere coincidence.

5. Steve Smith (March 2025) – A Rivalry Bites the Dust with Respect

India and Australia's Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final match featured a hard-fought battle. Following Australia's defeat, Kohli hugged Steve Smith with respect..

Soon after, Smith himself revealed his retirement from ODI cricket. Whether it was a genuine friendly hug or more, the trend followed, and fans couldn't help but speculate.

6. Ravindra Jadeja (March 2025) – The Next in Line?

During the final of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand, Kohli was photographed exchanging a warm hug with Ravindra Jadeja after bowling. The action became an instant sensation, raising eyebrows—is Jadeja next?

Although Jadeja has yet to confirm any retirement plans, fans are eagerly observing whether history will repeat itself.

While the Kohli Hug may just be an emotional moment between teammates, it has certainly given rise to a fascinating fan theory. As more legends retire after receiving Kohli’s heartfelt embrace, the big question remains—who’s next?

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