After Arijit Singh's shocking retirement announcement, Virat Kohli’s old praise for singer resurfaces: 'I am probably one of the biggest fans of Arijit Singh'

The music industry was taken by surprise after celebrated playback singer Arijit Singh announced that he would no longer accept new singing assignments. The unexpected decision, shared on social media earlier this week, triggered widespread disbelief among fans and filmmakers alike. Amid the emotional reactions, an old social media post by former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has resurfaced, revealing just how deeply the cricketer admired the voice behind songs from films like ‘Aashiqui 2’.Arijit Singh’s announcement comes at a time when he continues to dominate Hindi cinema as one of its most sought-after voices. The 'Tum Hi Ho' singer revealed that he would be stepping away from playback singing despite being at the peak of his career. The news has sparked concern among filmmakers who have long depended on his vocals to elevate their soundtracks. Many fans have drawn parallels between Arijit Singh's decision and Virat Kohli’s own unexpected retirement from Test cricket, calling both moments emotionally jarring for their respective industries.Soon after the announcement, Virat Kohli’s 2016 post on X (formerly Twitter) began circulating widely online. In the tweet dated January 26, 2016, the cricketer openly expressed his admiration for the singer, writing, “I am probably one of the biggest fans of Arijit Singh. Mesmerized by his talent and soulful voice. I am short of words actually.” The tweet once again highlighted Arijit’s influence beyond cinema, reaching admirers across fields far removed from music.Virat Kohli’s appreciation for Arijit Singh did not end there. In a later post the following year, the cricketer shared a photograph with the singer and described the moment as deeply personal. He wrote, “Pure fanboy moment for me. What an amazing person he is. No one has captivated me with their voice like this man. God bless you Arijit.” The image showed Kohli smiling alongside the singer, a reflection of the genuine respect Arijit has earned over the years.In his official statement announcing the decision, Arijit Singh thanked listeners for their unwavering support. He wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.”Singh further clarified that music would remain an integral part of his life, adding, “God has been really kind to me. I am a fan of good music and in future will be learning more and do more on my own as a small little artist. Thanks again for all your support. I still have to finish some pending commitments… Just to be clear that I won’t stop making music.” While the announcement initially worried fans, reports suggest that Arijit Singh’s previously recorded songs for films slated for 2026 will still be released as planned. Among them, ‘Maatrubhumi’ is believed to be his final song as a playback vocalist, potentially closing a defining chapter in Hindi cinema’s musical legacy.