Kohli, 36, leaves behind an impressive legacy with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests and vows to cherish his journey in the sport.
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In a surprising announcement, Virat Kohli, the celebrated Indian batter, has officially retired from Test cricket, marking a significant moment in the world of cricket. His retirement is especially poignant as it occurs just ahead of India’s impending five-Test series against England, scheduled to commence on June 20. This decision follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s retirement, indicating a changing landscape for the Indian cricket team.
Kohli, now 36 years old, has had a stellar career, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 over his 123 Test matches. Reflecting on his time in the game, Kohli expressed profound gratitude on social media, stating it's been a transformative journey since he first donned the baggy blue shirt over 14 years ago. “This format has tested me, shaped me, and taught me invaluable life lessons,” he noted.
Although Kohli made the difficult decision to retire from Test matches, he had previously stepped away from T20 internationals in 2024 after leading India to a World Cup victory. He is expected to remain active in one-day international play. The cricketer started his Test journey against the West Indies in 2011 and later served as captain in 68 matches, achieving 40 victories – a record for India’s most successful leader in Test history.
Speaking on his retirement, Kohli shared, “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.” He expressed that stepping away from the format is a challenging decision but feels right, as he has poured his heart into the sport.
With 30 Test centuries to his name, Kohli is recognized as one of the premier batting talents of his generation, alongside Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. However, it is noteworthy that his last Test century was a 100 not out against Australia in November, marking a significant gap in form with only three centuries over the last 39 Tests since January 2020, during which he has averaged 30.72.
Kohli’s legacy will undoubtedly be felt throughout the cricket world, as he walks away from Test cricket with cherished memories and an enduring impact on the game.
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In a surprising announcement, Virat Kohli, the celebrated Indian batter, has officially retired from Test cricket, marking a significant moment in the world of cricket. His retirement is especially poignant as it occurs just ahead of India’s impending five-Test series against England, scheduled to commence on June 20. This decision follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s retirement, indicating a changing landscape for the Indian cricket team.
Kohli, now 36 years old, has had a stellar career, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 over his 123 Test matches. Reflecting on his time in the game, Kohli expressed profound gratitude on social media, stating it's been a transformative journey since he first donned the baggy blue shirt over 14 years ago. “This format has tested me, shaped me, and taught me invaluable life lessons,” he noted.
Although Kohli made the difficult decision to retire from Test matches, he had previously stepped away from T20 internationals in 2024 after leading India to a World Cup victory. He is expected to remain active in one-day international play. The cricketer started his Test journey against the West Indies in 2011 and later served as captain in 68 matches, achieving 40 victories – a record for India’s most successful leader in Test history.
Speaking on his retirement, Kohli shared, “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.” He expressed that stepping away from the format is a challenging decision but feels right, as he has poured his heart into the sport.
With 30 Test centuries to his name, Kohli is recognized as one of the premier batting talents of his generation, alongside Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. However, it is noteworthy that his last Test century was a 100 not out against Australia in November, marking a significant gap in form with only three centuries over the last 39 Tests since January 2020, during which he has averaged 30.72.
Kohli’s legacy will undoubtedly be felt throughout the cricket world, as he walks away from Test cricket with cherished memories and an enduring impact on the game.
