Virat Kohli Test retirement marks the end of an era, as he officially announces his exit from Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a glittering career spanning 14 years, 123 Tests, and a remarkable 9230 runs at an average of 46.85.
“As I step away from this format, it's not easy – but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for,” Kohli shared on his social media handles on Monday morning.
Table of Contents
🏆 Virat Kohli Test Retirement: Career at a Glance
- Test Debut: June 2011 vs West Indies (Kingston)
- Matches Played: 123 Tests
- Runs Scored: 9230
- Batting Average: 46.85
- Centuries: 29
- Fifties: 30
- Highest Score: 254* vs South Africa (2019)
- Captaincy Record: 68 Tests as captain (40 wins, India’s most successful Test captain)
🗣️ Virat Kohli Test Retirement: Kohli’s Emotional Farewell Message
Kohli’s heartfelt note reflected his deep connection with Test cricket:
“There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever. 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.”
He also thanked fans, teammates, and the BCCI for their support throughout his illustrious career.
📉 Recent Form & The Decision Behind Virat Kohli Test Retirement
While Kohli’s legacy as a Test giant is undisputed, recent years have seen a dip in form. His century in Perth (November 2024) was his first since July 2023, and his batting average had dropped to 32.56 over the past two years.
Despite this, selectors were keen to have Kohli’s experience for the upcoming five-match Test series in England starting June 20, 2025. However, Kohli had been in discussions with the BCCI for over a month regarding his decision to retire.
👑 Kohli’s Captaincy Legacy: India’s Most Successful Test Leader
Virat Kohli’s tenure as Test captain was nothing short of revolutionary:
- 40 wins out of 68 Tests as captain
- Transformed India into a dominant force in overseas Tests
- Instilled a culture of aggression, fitness, and self-belief
- Led India to two World Test Championship (WTC) finals
Under his leadership, India achieved historic Test series victories in Australia, competed fiercely in England, and consistently dominated at home.
BCCI President Roger Binny stated, “Virat Kohli's name will be remembered alongside the finest ever to have graced Test cricket. His leadership marked a shift in how India competed overseas.”
🌟 Career Highlights Leading Up to Virat Kohli Test Retirement
🔹 2014-15 Australia Tour:
- 692 runs in 4 Tests at an average of 86.50
- Twin centuries in Adelaide
- Took over Test captaincy after MS Dhoni’s retirement
🔹 2018 England Tour Redemption:
- 583 runs in 5 Tests, averaging 59.30
- Overcame his 2014 failures in English conditions
🔹 Golden Years (2016-2019):
- Averaged over 55 in 4 consecutive years
- Scored 3596 runs in 35 Tests with 14 centuries
🔹 Double Century Specialist:
- First Indian captain to score 7 double centuries in Tests
Read more: Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
🧭 A New Era Beckons for Indian Test Cricket
Kohli’s retirement comes close on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s exit from Test cricket. With veterans like R Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav also out of the mix, India’s Test team is undergoing a generational shift.
- Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to succeed Rohit as Test captain.
- The remaining pillars of the team include KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Kohli, who along with Rohit, is in BCCI’s A+ contract category, will now focus solely on ODI cricket after stepping away from T20Is post India’s T20 World Cup win last year.
🏅 Kohli Among Test Cricket’s All-Time Greats
Virat Kohli retires as:
- India’s most successful Test captain (40 wins)
- 5th Indian to score over 9000 Test runs
- Part of an elite global club with modern greats like Smith, Williamson, Root
Globally, Kohli’s 40 Test wins as captain place him behind only:
- Graeme Smith (53 wins)
- Ricky Ponting (48 wins)
- Steve Waugh (41 wins)
His impact on Indian cricket transcends numbers — ushering an era of fitness, aggressive mindset, and world-class professionalism.
📌 Conclusion: The End of a Glorious Test Journey
Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket marks the end of one of the most iconic chapters in Indian cricket history. His journey from a fiery youngster to India’s greatest Test captain and one of its finest batters has inspired millions.
As India embarks on a new era, Kohli’s legacy will continue to influence the team’s ethos of fearless, world-beating Test cricket.
“I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.” — Virat Kohli
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