Virat Kohli gave Ravindra Jadeja a loving embrace after the all-rounder finished his last over in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 final match. Social media users and the audience have speculated that the gesture was either a thank-you or a farewell hug before the southpaw all-rounder retires from ODI play.
Virat Kohli hugged Ravindra Jadeja after he completed his last over. . Appreciation or Sign of Retirement? Jadeja playing his last ODI today ? #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/1FDYq9pjgS
— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) March 9, 2025
For more than ten years, Jadeja has been an iconic figure in Indian cricket, contributing significantly to both bowling and batting. He is a tremendous asset because of his outstanding fielding ability and game-changing performances. However, there have been rumours of top players leaving the ODI format due to recent talks over India’s future squad.
During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, Virat Kohli hugged Ravichandran Ashwin in a similar occasion just before the latter declared his retirement.
His arms-in-shoulders encounter with the Saurashtra all-rounder so suggests that a similar incident will occur following the conclusion of the match. Following India’s victory against South Africa in the 2024 World Cup, both cricket players decided to retire from T20 international play.
The hype about the cricketer’s retirement has only grown despite the lack of an official declaration or confirmation from the BCCI or the player himself. A great era and chapter in India’s cricketing history would come to an end if this was, in fact, his last ODI match.
Considering Jadeja’s performance with the ball today, the left-arm orthodox bowled 10 overs, conceding runs at a pitiful economy of 3.00. He also claimed a crucial wicket after giving the Indian team a breakthrough by trapping wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham leg before wicket.
India
