Virat Kohli, the standout batsman for Team India, has declared his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the 2025–2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and the England visit. In 123 Test matches for India, the former captain amassed 9230 runs at an average of 46.85.
Virat Kohli was a crusader for India in whites and a strong supporter of the longest format in contemporary times. He oversaw many of the Men in Blue’s victories abroad and was the mainstay of the Indian batting lineup at No. 4 for well over ten years.
In a social media message on Monday, May 12, Kohli declared his intention to retire from Test cricket.
“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,” Kohli began his note.
“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. #269, signing off,” Kohli concluded.
There were many reports that Kohli might retire after stating his desire to leave the format in the hands of the BCCI. Even when the BCCI allegedly encouraged him to rethink his standing point, the batter decided to end his Test career.
After the series finale of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar, between India and Australia, Kohli made his final Test debut in the series finale which played out at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He scored six runs without taking a single over and finally got out been dismissed by Scott Boland.
Virat Kohli’s Remarkable Test Journey: From Debut in 2011 to Retirement
His batting has a history of its own, but his impact to Indian cricket went much beyond that. Kohli transformed the team and turned it into a unit that could succeed abroad after taking over the team’s leadership at a pivotal moment.
Virat Kohli was a captain for India in 68 Test matches and there he won 40 of them, which translated to 58.80 percent of winning. Kohli successfully led India to debut World Test Championship (WTC) Final and also had a good run away from home in England, Australia and South Africa.
