New Delhi [India], May 12: The cricketing world joined in an emotional farewell as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) paid tribute to Virat Kohli, who announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday after an illustrious 14-year career.
Taking to social media platform X, the BCCI wrote:
“Thank You, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket, but the legacy will continue forever! @imVkohli, the former Team India Captain, retires from Test cricket. His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished!”
The ICC echoed the sentiment, posting:
“Whites off, crown intact. Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.”
Kohli had earlier shared his decision on Instagram, reflecting on his journey in the longest format of the game:
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket… 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. #269, signing off.”
The 36-year-old’s Test numbers speak volumes of his stature. He played 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties, becoming India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history, only behind legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Kohli’s Test debut came in 2011 against the West Indies. While his first tour yielded only 76 runs, his breakthrough came with a gritty century in Australia in 2012. From 2011 to 2015, he amassed 2,994 runs in 41 Tests. However, it was the 2016–2019 phase that saw Kohli at his peak, racking up 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average nearing 67 — including seven double hundreds, the most by any captain.
The 2020s proved more challenging, as form and consistency wavered. Yet, a resurgence in 2023 saw him score 671 runs in eight matches. His final Test century came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth.
Known for his aggressive style, supreme fitness, and relentless drive, Kohli led India to significant Test wins overseas and two ICC World Test Championship final appearances. From dismantling top-tier attacks in Australia to conquering England’s swing, Kohli’s journey has been a blueprint of modern Test excellence.
His departure from Test cricket marks the end of an era, but his impact — both statistical and inspirational — will resonate with fans and future cricketers for generations to come.