New Delhi: World-famous Indian batsman Virat Kohli announced today retirement from Test cricket effective immediately, bringing a 14-year journey with the longest format to an end. The 36-year-old batting great, who many consider one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, wrote a poignant post on social media detailing his journey and the reasons he decided to walk away from the red-ball format.
Just days after veteran batter Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career, triggering an earthquake in Indian cricket, Kohli has closed the curtains. Calling it “the highest honour of my life” to play for India in white, Kohli penned a heartfelt note. He explained his reasoning as citing the physical and mental toll of the format. He also wanted to spend more time with his family and play limited-overs cricket. The desire to compete is alive and well, but it is time to hand over the mantle with coronation this series. He also alludes to his below-par form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia earlier this year, where he averaged 23.75 in five Tests despite scoring a tonne at Perth.
Kohli has scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 30 hundreds in 123 Tests since his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011. His record as a captain all leading India to historic successes, including a Test series win in Australia in 2018-19, will be part of his enduring legacy. But since then, his Test returns have dipped, with only three tonnes since 2020, leading to questions about his place in the side. Kohli has been contemplating this for weeks despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requesting him to rethink, sources confirmed.
His departure comes just before a key five-Test series in England beginning June 20, leaving India looking short on batting experience. Shubman Gill will probably captain, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul coming as the new stars. Tributes poured in from around the world, with former teammate Ambati Rayudu saying on X, “Test cricket will not be the same without us. Please reconsider.” The same sentiment echoed among fans on social media, spreading messages of gratitude and disbelief.
Virat Kohli moves on to ODIs, where he still has a place, where he remains an instrumental part. He also moves on to the IPL, which he still sets ablaze for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli waves goodbye to Test cricket as Indian cricket enters its next chapter, marked by passion, grit, and unsurpassed brilliance.