Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test Cricket
Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a stellar 14-year career in the longest format of the game.
The announcement, made via Instagram on Monday morning, comes just days after Indian captain Rohit Sharma also stepped down from Test cricket, marking a significant transition for Indian cricket as it prepares for the upcoming five-match Test series against England starting June 20, 2025.
Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the modern era’s greatest batters, shared an emotional message reflecting 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. 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. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right.”
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, and went on to play 123 Tests for India, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85.
His career includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with his highest score of 254 not out against South Africa in Pune in 2019 standing as one of the finest innings by an Indian batter in modern cricket.
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most Test double centuries by an Indian, with seven, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. He also achieved the remarkable feat of scoring four double centuries in four consecutive Test series, breaking a record previously held by Don Bradman and Rahul Dravid.
As India’s most successful Test captain, Kohli led the team in 68 matches, securing 40 victories at an impressive win percentage of 58.82%. His aggressive captaincy, emphasis on fitness, and championing of fast bowlers transformed India into a dominant force in red-ball cricket, both at home and overseas.
Notable achievements include becoming the first Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia and leading India to a 2-1 victory in England in 2021.
Kohli’s standout performance came in 2018 when he scored 1,322 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 55.08, including five centuries, with memorable tons in Perth, Centurion, and Edgbaston. His 583 runs at an average of 59.30 during the 2018 England tour, after a challenging 2014 visit where he managed just 134 runs, underscored his resilience and ability to conquer tough conditions.
Reports indicate that Kohli had been in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his intention to retire from Test cricket for over a month, with his decision solidified despite efforts from the BCCI and former cricketers to persuade him to reconsider. His recent form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia (November 2024–January 2025) was underwhelming, where he scored 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, though a century in Perth was a highlight.
His Test average, which peaked at 55.10 in 2019, had dipped to 32.56 over the last two years, prompting speculation that persistent struggles may have influenced his decision.
The BCCI, aware of the upcoming England tour’s challenges, reportedly enlisted a “highly influential figure in Indian cricket” to convince Kohli to stay, emphasizing his experience as crucial, especially after Rohit Sharma’s retirement and Ravichandran Ashwin’s exit from international cricket in 2024.
However, Virat Kohli remained firm, with sources suggesting he felt it was the right time to step away from the format he cherished most.
Rohit Sharma, India’s Test captain, announced his retirement from the format on May 7, 2025, after leading India in 67 Tests. His decision, followed closely by Kohli’s, has left a leadership and experience void as India prepares for the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
With other senior players like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara no longer in the Test setup and concerns over Mohammed Shami’s form, India faces a challenging transition.
Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to take over as captain, with Jasprit Bumrah also in contention.
Former cricketers, including Ambati Rayudu, Mohammad Kaif, Brian Lara, and Navjot Singh Sidhu, urged Kohli to reconsider, citing his invaluable experience and the team’s need for his presence in England’s demanding conditions. Kaif suggested Kohli could “prove a point” and retire on a high, similar to his T20 World Cup 2024 farewell, while Sidhu called him India’s “knight in shining armor.” Despite the outpouring of support, Kohli’s decision appears final.
Kohli’s Test retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, which he helped elevate to new heights. With 9,230 runs, he finishes as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer, 770 runs shy of his 2013 goal of 10,000 Test runs. Both Kohli and Rohit, who retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, will continue to be available for ODI cricket.
