Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 12: In a moment that left the cricketing world stunned, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, just weeks ahead of India’s highly anticipated home series against England. The announcement, made via his Instagram on Monday, marks the end of a 14-year-long journey in the whites, during which Kohli became one of the most formidable batters in the world.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket… It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life,” Kohli wrote in an emotional note.
The 36-year-old’s record in Test cricket is nothing short of legendary. In 123 Tests, Kohli amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and a best of 254*. He retires as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
A Career of Phases and Fire
Kohli’s Test career began in 2011 against the West Indies, but his breakthrough came in Australia in 2012, where he scored his maiden Test ton in Adelaide amidst a struggling Indian lineup. That century marked the start of a remarkable trajectory.
From 2016 to 2019, Kohli hit his golden prime, scoring over 4,200 runs in just 43 Tests at a staggering average of 66.79 — a phase that included seven double centuries, a record for a Test captain.
Yet, the 2020s saw a dip, with Kohli managing just 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at a modest average of 30.72. Still, there were flashes of brilliance, including a gritty ton in Perth in late 2024 and a brief resurgence in 2023, where he averaged nearly 56 in eight Tests.
Bollywood and Fans React
The cricketing icon’s announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from fans, celebrities, and fellow cricketers.
Suniel Shetty praised Kohli’s intensity and legacy, posting on Instagram:
“You didn’t just play Test cricket, Virat. You lived it… The red-ball rests, but your legacy…”
Vicky Kaushal wrote:
“You did it your way, and that way will truly be missed… Thank you for the memories, Champ!”
The reactions reflect the deep connection Kohli shared with Indian cricket fans — not just as a prolific run-scorer, but as a symbol of aggression, resilience, and leadership.
Defining Moments and Battles
Kohli’s journey was filled with defining moments:
- 692 runs against Australia in the 2014-15 series
- A redemption tour to England in 2018 with 593 runs
- Guiding India to the World Test Championship final
- Stellar performances in challenging conditions — Centurion, Melbourne, Edgbaston, and Ahmedabad.
He also battled personal lows, including prolonged lean patches, struggles with off-stump deliveries, and spin vulnerability in the subcontinent. But through it all, Kohli’s hunger and spirit became a blueprint for modern Test success.
The End of an Era
As Kohli steps away from Test cricket, he leaves behind a legacy not defined merely by stats, but by the fire he brought to the field, the intensity in every cover drive, and the heart he poured into every session.
“If Thommo didn’t get ya, Lillee must,” Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai had said recently, praising India’s air defence layers. Kohli was just as layered in his approach — if technique didn’t get you, temperament would.