emirates7 - Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a stellar red-ball career in which he accumulated 9,230 runs across 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85.
In a heartfelt Instagram message, Kohli reflected on his journey:
“It’s been 14 years since I first donned the baggy blue in Test cricket. I never imagined how transformative this journey would be. This format has challenged me, shaped me, and taught me invaluable life lessons.
There’s something profoundly personal about playing in whites — the grind, the long hours, and those quiet moments that go unnoticed but remain etched in memory.
Stepping away hasn’t been an easy decision, but it feels like the right one. I’ve poured everything into Test cricket, and it’s given me back more than I ever expected.
I leave with a heart full of gratitude — for the sport, my teammates, and every individual who supported and acknowledged me along the way.
I’ll always cherish my time in the Test arena with a smile.”
Kohli had reportedly informed the BCCI of his decision earlier this week, just days after fellow Indian great Rohit Sharma also called time on his Test career. These high-profile retirements come shortly before India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign begins with a five-Test series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and assumed the captaincy in 2014. He led India in 68 Tests — the most by an Indian skipper — and lost just 17 of those, boasting a loss rate of only 25%.
His final appearance in whites came earlier this year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, where Australia clinched a 3-1 series victory after winning the Test by six wickets.
In a heartfelt Instagram message, Kohli reflected on his journey:
“It’s been 14 years since I first donned the baggy blue in Test cricket. I never imagined how transformative this journey would be. This format has challenged me, shaped me, and taught me invaluable life lessons.
There’s something profoundly personal about playing in whites — the grind, the long hours, and those quiet moments that go unnoticed but remain etched in memory.
Stepping away hasn’t been an easy decision, but it feels like the right one. I’ve poured everything into Test cricket, and it’s given me back more than I ever expected.
I leave with a heart full of gratitude — for the sport, my teammates, and every individual who supported and acknowledged me along the way.
I’ll always cherish my time in the Test arena with a smile.”
Kohli had reportedly informed the BCCI of his decision earlier this week, just days after fellow Indian great Rohit Sharma also called time on his Test career. These high-profile retirements come shortly before India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign begins with a five-Test series against England, starting June 20 at Headingley.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and assumed the captaincy in 2014. He led India in 68 Tests — the most by an Indian skipper — and lost just 17 of those, boasting a loss rate of only 25%.
His final appearance in whites came earlier this year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, where Australia clinched a 3-1 series victory after winning the Test by six wickets.