Virat Kohli Announces Retirement from Test Cricket After Glorious 14-Year Career
Srinagar, May 13: Marking the end of an illustrious chapter in Indian cricket, star batsman and former captain Virat Kohli on Monday officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtains down on a celebrated 14-year career in the longest format of the game.
Kohli took to his Instagram handle to share the news, reflecting on his journey in whites. “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… I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude,” Kohli wrote, expressing heartfelt emotions and pride in representing the country.
Debuting in June 2011 against the West Indies, Kohli played 123 Tests, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His illustrious record includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a career-best score of 254*. He stands as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format, following legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Kohli’s early Test years saw a breakthrough moment in Adelaide in 2012, where he scored his maiden Test hundred. His rise continued with unmatched consistency, particularly between 2016 and 2019—a period that marked his prime—with 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of nearly 67, including seven double hundreds, the most by a Test captain.
While the last few years saw a dip in form, Kohli still delivered standout performances, including centuries in the West Indies and at home against Australia in 2023. His final Test appearance came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia earlier this year.
Beyond the numbers, Kohli’s impact as a leader and batter redefined India’s approach in red-ball cricket. From leading the team to the top of the ICC Test rankings to memorable overseas wins in Australia, England, and South Africa, Kohli leaves behind a legacy of passion, resilience, and excellence.
His retirement signals the end of an era, but the memories he has gifted to Indian cricket will continue to inspire generations to come.
