Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned 14 years. Over this period, Kohli played 123 Tests, captaining the team in 68 of them. He scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, leaving behind an indelible mark on the format.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Kohli reflected on his journey: "It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life," he wrote. 

"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," he added. 

Kohli also spoke about the difficult decision to step away from the format, stating, "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. 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. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile."

The 36-year-old cricketer had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his decision to retire ahead of India's upcoming five-match series in England, set to start on June 20. Kohli had been expected to be part of the squad, and it was reported that he had been in discussions with BCCI officials regarding his retirement for the past month.

While Kohli’s recent form in Test cricket had not been as strong as in the past, his leadership and experience remained valuable to the team. His last Test century came in November 2024, during the Perth Test, and it was his first Test ton since July 2023. Kohli’s average had dropped to 32.56 over the last 24 months, a significant dip from his career-best average of 55.10 in 2019. Despite this, the Indian team management and selectors were keen to have his experience during the England tour, as India faces the challenge of replacing both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from Test cricket earlier this week.

Kohli’s departure leaves a significant void in the Indian Test setup, with the team now in transition. Alongside Kohli and Rohit, Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket late last year. With players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane currently not in the team, and questions surrounding Mohammed Shami’s form, Kohli’s retirement marks the end of an era. KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah are among the few who remain from the golden period of Indian Test cricket, which saw India reach two consecutive World Test Championship finals, the first under Kohli’s leadership.

Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 during India’s tour of the West Indies. After a slow start in his first series, he began to show his potential in the following months. His breakthrough came during India’s tour of Australia in 2014-15, when he scored twin centuries in Adelaide and followed up with additional centuries in Melbourne and Sydney. This series marked the beginning of his successful leadership journey as MS Dhoni stepped down mid-series and Kohli took over the captaincy. Kohli went on to become India’s most successful Test captain, with 40 wins from 68 matches, ahead of Dhoni (27 wins) and Sourav Ganguly (21 wins).

One of the highlights of Kohli’s career came in 2018 during the England tour, where he was the top run-scorer across both teams, amassing 583 runs in five Tests at an average of 59.30. That performance was particularly special as it came after a disappointing series in 2014, where Kohli managed just 134 runs in ten innings.

Kohli’s golden years came between 2016 and 2019 when his batting was at its peak. He averaged 75.93 in 2016, 75.64 in 2017, 55.08 in 2018, and 68.00 in 2019. During this period, Kohli scored 3,596 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 66.59, including 14 centuries and eight fifties. His consistency in the format made him one of the best Test batsmen of his generation.