Online Reporter
FORMER India captain Virat Kohli, has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The 36-year-old’s decision comes just a week after Rohit Sharma — who succeeded Kohli as skipper — also stepped away from the red-ball format, and just a month before India begin a five-match Test series in England.
Kohli amassed 9 230 runs in 123 Tests, placing him fourth on India’s all-time list of Test run scorers.
He shared the news via Instagram:
“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.
“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. 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.”
Reports suggest Kohli had communicated his decision to the BCCI but was asked to reconsider. However, just days after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Kohli followed suit — leaving India without two of its most experienced batters ahead of a high-stakes series in England.
The timing of Kohli’s announcement is significant, coming just before squad discussions for the England tour. A likely motivation was to give selectors ample time to shape a new-look side.
With both Rohit and Kohli stepping aside, India are expected to field a youthful top order. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have long been earmarked as the future of Indian batting, while Shreyas Iyer and Sai Sudharsan are also in contention.
Kohli’s departure could also open the door for veteran Cheteshwar Pujara to reclaim a stabilising role at No. 3.
Another possible factor in Kohli’s decision was his underwhelming performance in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He managed just 190 runs in five matches, including a solitary century. His vulnerability outside the off-stump resurfaced, drawing scrutiny from pundits and fans alike.
With the England series marking the start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Kohli may be stepping away to focus exclusively on white-ball cricket.
He concludes his red-ball career with 9 230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 51 half-centuries.
Kohli also leaves behind a formidable legacy as one of the most successful Test captains in history. His 40 wins place him behind only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41).
Yet, one ambition appears to remain: winning the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The 2023 edition ended in heartbreak, with India winning all their matches before falling to Australia in the final.
Kohli was the standout performer in that campaign and may now be dedicating himself fully to staying fit and in form for one final shot at ODI glory. — theguardian.co.uk/Sports Reporter
