Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to an illustrious 14-year career in the longest format of the game. The 36-year-old former captain confirmed the decision through an emotional post on Instagram, stating it was not an “easy” choice but one that felt “right.”
“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,” Kohli wrote. “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.”
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 and went on to play 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His remarkable record includes 30 centuries, making him one of India’s most successful Test batters. As captain, he led the team in 68 Tests, securing 40 victories – the most by any Indian Test skipper.
Prominent figures from politics and sports have expressed their sentiments on Kohli’s retirement. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared his disappointment on social media, recalling his only face-to-face meeting with Kohli at an award event in Gurugram in 2013.
“I’m truly sad to see him go so early, so unexpectedly, without even the joy of a farewell Test match at home. Why, Virat? We all still need you,” Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter), describing Kohli as a “legend we have all admired” and praising his contributions across formats, especially Tests.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute, expressing regret that Kohli’s retirement means he won’t feature in India’s upcoming Test tour of England, set to begin on June 20.
“Sad we won’t get to see Virat Kohli one last time this summer,” Sunak wrote on X, calling him a “superb batsman, an astute captain and a formidable competitor who always understood the true value of Test cricket.”
Kohli’s exit from Tests follows his retirement from T20 Internationals after India’s triumphant World Cup campaign last year. He will now focus solely on One Day Internationals (ODIs).
In his farewell note, Kohli reflected on the deeply personal connection he had with the traditional format, writing, “The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
He ended his message with gratitude and a symbolic sign-off: “#269, signing off,” referencing his Test cap number.
Kohli’s retirement comes on the heels of current Test captain Rohit Sharma also stepping away from the format, marking the end of an era for Indian Test cricket.
