New Delhi: The cricket world has bid farewell to one of its brightest stars as Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, marking the end of an illustrious 14-year career. Kohli’s departure from the longest format of the game has left fans and cricketing bodies reflecting on his remarkable contributions.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) both expressed their gratitude and admiration for Kohli’s Test career. The BCCI took to social media, posting, “Thank You, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket, but the legacy will continue forever! @imVkohli, the former Team India Captain, retires from Test cricket. His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished!”
The ICC also paid tribute, writing, “Whites off, crown intact. Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.”
Kohli, 36, took to Instagram to announce his decision, reflecting on his journey in the longest format. “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,” he wrote. “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.”
He continued, “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. #269, signing off.”
Over his 14-year career, Kohli played 123 Test matches, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His highest score in Tests was a remarkable 254*. He is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format, following legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, and although his first series wasn’t memorable, he quickly established himself with a series of counter-attacking performances, notably during India’s 2012 tour of Australia. His maiden Test century, 116 at Adelaide, marked the beginning of a defining career.
From 2011 to 2015, Kohli accumulated nearly 3,000 runs in 41 Tests, averaging 44.03, with 11 centuries and 12 fifties. However, it was between 2016 and 2019 that he enjoyed one of the most dominant phases in Test cricket history, amassing 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, including 16 centuries and seven double centuries—most by any Test captain.
But as the 2020s arrived, Kohli’s form dipped. From 2020 to 2023, he managed just 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at an average of 30.72. Despite this, 2023 saw a resurgence, with Kohli scoring 671 runs in eight Tests at an average of 55.91, including two centuries and two fifties.
Kohli’s career was also marked by several iconic moments, including his pivotal role in India’s triumph in the 2018 Test series in Australia, where he scored 692 runs in four Tests, and his landmark performances in England, South Africa, and Australia.
Despite battling some technical weaknesses in the latter part of his career, particularly against deliveries outside the off-stump and spinners, Kohli continued to deliver match-winning performances for India. His Test career will be remembered not only for his runs but also for his resilience, leadership, and unmatched competitive spirit.
Kohli’s final Test series came against Australia during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75. His final Test century came in January 2023 in Ahmedabad, marking a fitting conclusion to his career in whites.
Virat Kohli’s Test cricket journey has been one of defiance, resilience, and triumph, and while his retirement may mark the end of an era, his legacy will endure for generations.
