New Delhi, May 12—In a moment that marks the end of a glorious chapter in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. He concluded a 14-year-long journey in the format that showcased him as one of its finest ambassadors.
The 36-year-old cricket icon announced a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing gratitude and reflection. “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 wrote.
Stellar Test Career Comes to a Close
Kohli’s Test record speaks volumes of his consistency and dominance. In 123 matches, he amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and a record-setting seven double hundreds — the most by any Indian in Test history. This achievement places him ahead of legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Rahul Dravid.Despite falling short of the 10,000-run milestone — once deemed inevitable — Kohli's contribution to the format remains unparalleled in the modern era, particularly as T20 leagues captured global attention.
Emotional Farewell to the Red-Ball Game
Often credited for rekindling global interest in Test cricket, Kohli shared a deeply emotional farewell message. “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 said.He added, “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.”
Final Test and Shift in Focus
Kohli’s final Test outing was on an Australian tour, where he registered a solitary century but failed to deliver his usual dominance. With this announcement, Kohli will focus solely on One-Day Internationals (ODIs), having stepped away from T20 Internationals last year.End of an Era in Indian Test Cricket
Kohli’s retirement adds to the recent high-profile exits from India’s Test squad. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retired in December, followed by skipper Rohit Sharma last week, marking a generational shift in Indian cricket’s red-ball leadership.Legacy Beyond Numbers
Widely regarded as a modern great and even compared to legends like Sir Vivian Richards, Kohli's presence in the longest format was more than just about runs. His passion, aggressive captaincy, and unwavering commitment renewed Test cricket's prestige when the format faced existential challenges.Kohli concluded, “I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”
