Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his intention to retire from Test cricket, according to ESPNCricinfo. The development comes just days after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format and ahead of India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 opener against England starting June 20.
Kohli, 35, has been in discussions with the BCCI for the past month regarding his Test future. If confirmed, this would conclude a 14-year Test career that includes:
- 123 Tests,
- 9,230 runs at 46.85 average,
- 30 centuries,
- India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches.
While his form declined post-2019, he showed signs of resurgence in 2023, scoring 671 runs at 55.91. However, a poor run in 2024 and increasing physical and mental tolls seem to be factors in his decision.
Kohli’s potential exit leaves a vacuum in an already thinning leadership group. With Rohit, Ashwin, Rahane, Pujara, and a struggling Shami either retired or out of form, the spotlight turns to Shubman Gill, the likely new Test captain.
Kohli’s record in England is mixed, peaking during the 2018 tour where he scored 593 runs, but otherwise averaging just 33.21 in 17 Tests in the country.
If confirmed, Kohli’s departure would mark the end of a legendary era in Indian Test cricket.