New Delhi: Indian cricket icon and former captain Virat Kohli on Monday formally announced his retirement from Test cricket, drawing curtains on a glittering 14-year red-ball career that helped reshape India’s fortunes in the longest format of the game.
Kohli, 36, made the announcement via a heartfelt Instagram post, stating, “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.”
The announcement came days before India’s upcoming five-Test series against England, with sources confirming Kohli had communicated his decision to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in advance.
Reflecting on the significance of Test cricket, Kohli added, “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.”
Having debuted in 2011, Kohli featured in 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 51 half-centuries. He also holds the record for the most Test double centuries by an Indian — seven in total.
Kohli’s aggressive and uncompromising leadership brought a new identity to India’s Test team. Under his captaincy, India scaled new heights — winning their first-ever series in Australia in 2018–19, dominating at home, and briefly reaching the top of the ICC Test rankings. With 40 Test wins as captain, he stands fourth on the all-time list behind Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41).
He also holds the record for the most Test hundreds as an Indian captain, with 20 — nearly double that of Sunil Gavaskar’s 11.
Kohli’s retirement follows closely on the heels of teammate Rohit Sharma’s decision to step away from the format, marking a significant generational shift for Indian cricket. Their exits leave the Test squad without two of its most experienced and dependable batters, potentially reshaping India’s approach in the upcoming years.
The 36-year-old had earlier retired from T20 internationals after India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in 2024. He will now focus solely on One Day Internationals (ODIs), with speculation rife that he is eyeing the 2027 World Cup as his swansong.
Signing off with the words “#269, signing off,” Kohli leaves behind a legacy of grit, excellence, and intensity — qualities that not only defined his own game but also inspired an entire generation of Indian cricketers.
