Anil Kapoor remembers meeting Virat Kohli for the first time 11 years ago as he retires from Test Cricket, says, "you'll never retire from our hearts"

Anil Kapoor remembers meeting Virat Kohli for the first time 11 years ago as he retires from Test Cricket, says, "you'll never retire from our hearts"

After Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, a wave of nostalgia swept across fans and celebrities alike. Among those reflecting on Kohli’s remarkable journey was actor Anil Kapoor, who shared a heartwarming memory from over a decade ago — revealing that he first met the cricketer on the cruise ship during the filming of Dil Dhadakne Do, where Anushka Sharma was part of the cast.

Taking to Instagram, Anil Kapoor wrote, “We met eleven years ago on a cruise when Anushka was shooting Dil Dhadakne Do. I still remember how warm, humble, and down-to-earth you were — it left a lasting impression on me.” The veteran actor went on to praise Kohli’s journey, stating, “Since then, I’ve been admiring you from afar — your discipline, passion, and the sheer joy and pride you’ve given us through your incredible achievements on the field.”

The revelation caught fans by surprise, especially as it subtly confirmed that Kohli had accompanied Anushka during the film’s shoot back in 2014, fueling long-standing speculations about the early days of their relationship.

Though Anil Kapoor mentioned they haven’t met again since that cruise, he wrote, “I’ve always been cheering for you. Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished. You may have retired from Test cricket, but you’ll never retire from the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians — and millions more around the world.”

Also Read: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma meet Premanand Maharaj a day after announcing test retirement, seek spiritual guidance on Prem and Punya

Dil Dhadakne Do, directed by Zoya Akhtar, was released on June 5, 2015, and featured an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar, and Anushka Sharma. The movie was largely shot on a cruise across the Mediterranean Sea, making Kapoor’s anecdote not only believable but also a full-circle moment in Bollywood and cricket pop culture.

Kohli’s post, where he looked back at his Test debut 14 years ago, was emotional yet graceful. He wrote, “I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude — for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way.”

As fans continue to process the cricketing legend’s retirement, Anil Kapoor’s touching tribute and nostalgic flashback added a unique layer to the moment — blending two powerful worlds of sport and cinema through a memory that now stands immortalized.