Virat Kohli bid farewell to 2025 on an uplifting and deeply personal note by sharing a warm new photograph with his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, on the final day of the year.
The cricketer took to Instagram on December 31, offering fans a rare, intimate glimpse into their relationship as he looked ahead to the year to come with her by his side.
In the picture, Virat appeared relaxed and cheerful in a grey T-shirt paired with cream-coloured trousers, while Anushka kept it casual in a white top and blue jeans.
Standing close together, Virat wrapped his arm around Anushka’s shoulder as the couple smiled brightly for the camera, instantly sending fans into a frenzy, with many hailing them as “couple goals.”
Keeping his message brief yet heartfelt, Virat captioned the post, "Stepping into 2026 with the light of my life."
The post comes at the end of a monumental year for the former India captain.
In 2025, Virat achieved one of the most emotional milestones of his career by winning his first Indian Premier League title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, finally ending an 18-year wait for both himself and the franchise.
The year also marked a major turning point professionally, as Virat announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, just over a month before India’s upcoming tour of England.
The decision prompted an emotional response from Anushka, who shared a moving tribute acknowledging the unseen struggles behind his achievements.
"They’ll talk about the records and the milestones, but I’ll remember the tears you never showed, the battles no one saw, and the unwavering love you gave this format of the game. I know how much all this took from you. After every Test series, you came back a little wiser, a little humbler, and watching you evolve through it all has been a privilege," she wrote.
She continued, "Somehow, I always imagined you’d retire international cricket in whites, But you’ve always followed your heart, and so I just want to say my love, you’ve earned every bit of this goodbye."
On the field, Virat’s form in limited-overs cricket remained exceptional.
Earlier this month, he registered his second consecutive century in an ODI series against South Africa. In the opening match in Ranchi, he scored a commanding 135 runs off 120 balls, smashing 11 fours and seven sixes to guide India to a 17-run victory.
He reached his 53rd ODI century in just 90 deliveries, marking his 84th international century overall, placing him just behind Sachin Tendulkar’s record tally of 100 international hundreds.
Virat and Anushka, who dated for several years, were married in a private ceremony in Italy on December 11, 2017. They welcomed their daughter Vamika in 2021 and their son Akaay in 2024.
Despite their global fame, the couple have remained intensely private about their personal lives and now spend much of their time living in London.
As 2026 begins, Virat’s New Year post reflects a sense of calm, gratitude, and companionship — with Anushka firmly at the center of his world.