Virat Kohli Announces Retirement From Test Cricket, Just Days After Rohit Sharma’s Decision
Virat Kohli has announced he’s bringing an end to his 14-year-old Test career. The batting maestro retires after having represented India in 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. He struck 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Kohli made the announcement via social media with a post on Instagram.
The 36-year-old wrote that Test cricket has taught him valuable life lessons while professing his love for the format he so vocally championed throughout his career.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote. “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. 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.”
Kohli, arguably, will be the greatest India Test batter to have not touched the milestone of 10,000 runs, falling short by 770 runs. However, the former India captain has no regrets.
“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,” he wrote.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011, against West Indies at Kingston, scoring 4 and 15 as India won the contest by 63 runs. The Sydney Test against Australia in January this year becomes the final such match of his career in which he scored 17 and 6 across the two innings.
Kohli retires as an all-time great whose seven double-centuries in Test cricket is an Indian record. Overall, he’s fifth on the list of most Test double-tons which is led by Don Bradman (12).
He will also go down as one of the greatest Test captains.
During his career, Kohli led India in 68 Tests – the most by any Indian in history. Of these, the team tasted victory on 40 occasions, also an Indian record. His win percentage record of 58.82 is the third best in Test history among the captains who have led in at least 50 matches.
Kohli will now only play in ODIs having already retired from T20Is last year.
Kohli Follows Into Rohit’s Footsteps
Kohli’s sudden decision comes on the heels of another India stalwart Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket. On May 7, like Kohli, Rohit too made his retirement announcement via Instagram.
“Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format,” Rohit posted.
Interestingly, both Kohli and Rohit had announced their respective T20I retirements at the same time last year, moments after India’s world triumph in Americas.
