Legendary India batsman Virat Kohli has made a heartfelt announcement, sending shockwaves through the cricket world. The iconic player has decided to bid adieu to Test cricket, leaving fans and fellow cricketers in awe of his incredible journey on the field.
Kohli’s decision comes as a surprise before India’s upcoming five-Test series in England, starting on June 20. This news follows another retirement bombshell from captain Rohit Sharma earlier this week. At 36 years old, Kohli leaves behind an illustrious career spanning 123 Tests and amassing an impressive total of 9,230 runs with an average of 46.85.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,”
expressed Kohli emotionally on social media. Reflecting on his time in the format, he shared profound insights about the impact Test cricket had on shaping him as a player and individual. His retirement from T20 internationals back in 2024 after India’s World Cup triumph marked a significant shift, but speculation suggests he will continue to grace one-day internationals with his exceptional skills.
Making his Test debut against West Indies in 2011, Kohli went on to lead Team India in 68 matches – a testament to his leadership qualities and strategic prowess. With 40 victories under his captaincy belt, he stands out as one of India’s most successful leaders in Test cricket history.
“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites…the small moments that no-one sees but that stay with you forever,”
mused Kohli nostalgically when describing his connection to the traditional format of the game. As he bids farewell to Test cricket, there is a sense of closure but also immense gratitude for all that it has given him over the years.
Throughout his career, Virat Kohli has been hailed as one of the batting greats of modern cricket alongside luminaries like Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. His remarkable feat of scoring 30 centuries in Tests solidifies his status among legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid who have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket history.
Despite recent challenges with form and performance dips witnessed during specific periods since January 2020,
“I’ve given it everything I had…it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for,”
reflected Kohli gratefully about his time spent playing Test cricket at its highest level.
With numerous accolades to his name including being the Indian skipper with the most centuries (20) and standing tall as one of India’s top run-scorers ever alongside iconic figures like Sunil Gavaskar,
“As I step away from this format…I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile,”
affirmed Kohli appreciatively.
As fans across the globe come to terms with this significant announcement from one of cricket’s finest ambassadors,
“For every single person who made me feel seen along the way…a heart full of gratitude – for the game,”
expressed Virat Kohli acknowledging everyone who played a part in making his journey unforgettable.
The legacy left by Virat Kohli in Test cricket will undoubtedly echo through stadiums worldwide for years to come—a testament not only to his exceptional talent but also to the unwavering passion and dedication he brought every time he stepped onto that hallowed ground beneath those white flannels.
