India cricket legend Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday after an illustrious 14-year career that saw him play 123 matches. Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, has been one of India’s most consistent and prominent players since Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013.
Reflecting on his decision, Kohli posted on Instagram, saying, “As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right.” He further expressed his gratitude, mentioning that the Test format had tested and shaped him over the years. “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket, and honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on,” he added.
Kohli’s retirement follows closely after Rohit Sharma’s departure from Test cricket, leaving India with the challenge of selecting a new captain and reshaping their batting lineup ahead of their five-match series in England, which begins on June 20.
Over his Test career, Kohli scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, at an average of 46.85. He captained India in 68 Test matches, leading the team to 40 wins, making him the most successful Test captain in India’s history. His leadership was instrumental in maintaining India’s position at No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings for five years. Kohli also guided India to their historic first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018.
While Kohli is stepping down from Test cricket, he is expected to continue playing One-Day Internationals and remains deeply involved in the IPL. He also mentioned that the essence of Test cricket—the “quiet grind” and “long days”—was special to him, and he leaves the format with a heart full of gratitude.
Kohli is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, following Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. He holds the record for the most double centuries for India in Tests, with seven, surpassing Tendulkar’s tally of six. His legacy in Indian cricket, particularly as a captain and a player, is immense, and his retirement marks the end of an era for Test cricket in India.
In a tribute, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted, “Thank you, Virat Kohli. An era ends in Test cricket, but the legacy will continue forever. His contributions to Team India will forever be cherished.”
