Virat Kohli Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, Marks End of an Era

New Delhi, May 12 — Virat Kohli Bids Adieu to Test Format with 123 Matches and 30 Centuries​

India’s cricketing icon Virat Kohli on Monday officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, drawing the curtain on a remarkable career in the game's longest format. The decision, shared via his Instagram account, brings an end to weeks of speculation surrounding his red-ball future.

At 36, Kohli leaves behind an indelible legacy, having represented India in 123 Tests and amassing 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, at an impressive average of 46.85. He now shifts focus solely to One-Day Internationals (ODIs), having already stepped away from T20 Internationals in 2023.

“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 expressed in his heartfelt farewell post.

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“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 added.

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Kohli’s departure follows closely on the heels of fellow Test stalwarts Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired in December, and Rohit Sharma, who announced his exit just last week. This succession of retirements marks a transformative phase for Indian Test cricket, opening the door for a new generation of players.

As one of India's most successful Test captains and a central figure in modern cricket, Kohli's exit from the format signals the end of a golden era.