Virat Kohli Announces Retirement From Test Cricket
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, ending a 14-year-long, illustrious career in the longest format that saw him redefine Indian batting and leadership.
India’s cricketing icon Virat Kohli has officially retired from Test cricket, days before India’s five-match Test series against England. The 36-year-old confirmed the news via an emotional Instagram post, saying it was “not easy — but it feels right.”
Kohli, who played his last Test in January against Australia in Sydney, leaves as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites… the quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees,” Kohli wrote in his statement.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies in Jamaica and went on to play 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His tally includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
His highest score — an unbeaten 254 — came against South Africa in Pune in 2019. Known for his aggressive yet disciplined approach, Kohli also captained India in 68 Tests, with 40 wins, making him India’s most successful Test captain to date.
Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued an official statement yet, sources confirmed that Kohli had informed the board of his decision over the weekend. A senior BCCI official reportedly urged him to reconsider, but Kohli remained firm.
The cricket fraternity and fans took to social media to express their admiration. Former cricketers like VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh called it “the end of a golden era,” while fans flooded timelines with highlight reels and tribute videos.
Kohli’s retirement comes close on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s exit from Test cricket on May 7. Both stalwarts had underwhelming performances during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and briefly returned to domestic cricket before deciding to step aside from the format.
Kohli’s impact on Test cricket extended beyond the scoreboard. As captain, he instilled a new fitness culture, backed fast bowlers relentlessly, and led India to its first Test series win in Australia in 2018–19.
“I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude,” Kohli wrote. “I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”
With Kohli’s departure, Indian cricket transitions into a new era, leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to replicate.
