Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, May 12, which was a significant announcement on his Instagram feed. The 36-year-old will now continue to play for his country in the ODI format after retiring from T20Is on the day India won the T20 World Cup in 2024.
Words fall short, very literally, of describing Kohli’s contribution to not only Indian cricket, but to the sport in general. He inspired a number of young people to believe in themselves and take on significant challenges in their lives.
Kohli’s departure from test cricket will be a massive gap that will not be very simple to fill. He was and will always be irreplaceable in the team and his works for the country will be remembered for ages.
Cricket fans flocked to social media to offer sincere messages for Virat Kohli, congratulating him on an incredible Test career and wishing him luck in the future. These are their responses and remarks:
A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025As you retire from Tests, I'm reminded of your thoughtful gesture 12 years ago, during my last Test. You offered to gift me a thread from your late father. It was something too personal for me to accept, but the gesture was heartwarming and has stayed with me ever since. While I… pic.twitter.com/JaVzVxG0mQ
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 12, 2025Anything I write for you, paji, will never truly capture what I feel or the impact you’ve had on me.
From watching you bat when I was 13 and wondering how someone could bring that kind of energy to the field – to sharing the field with you and realizing no one else possibly can… pic.twitter.com/s6LhnPWbNK
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) May 12, 2025Virat, you've left an indelible mark on Test cricket. Your passion was infectious, your fire relentless, and your legacy will inspire generations.. Thank you for everything. Happy retirement, legend.. @imVkohli #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/xpK6LQKyga
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) May 12, 2025March 2017, Dharamsala — you gave me my Test cap, Virat bhai. I knew you had my back from Day 1
You didn’t just lead a team, you led a mindset. With the bat, you gave us belief. Grateful to start my journey under you. Happy retirement bhai ♥️🫂 pic.twitter.com/vsLs87smQj
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) May 12, 2025Biggest brand of the modern cricket era who gave it all for cricket’s oldest format. Test cricket owes that debt to Virat Kohli. 🙏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 12, 2025Congratulations, veere! Wishing you and the family endless blessings. You’ve been nothing short of outstanding—red-ball cricket will surely feel your absence.
#ViratKohli@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ph05VOmxlS
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) May 12, 2025Virat, we’ve shared that era… faced the grind together, lived the long days of Test cricket with pride. Your batting in whites is special — not just in numbers, but in intent, intensity, and inspiration.
Good luck going forward #ViratKohli #TestCricket @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/GSh1Ca6I3G
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 12, 2025Can’t believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained. Thank you for the lasting memories you’ve given to everyone, and to me in particular. It’s something I will cherish for life. Go… pic.twitter.com/1te6LFGdMx
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 12, 2025Congratulations on a phenomenal Test career, Virat Kohli.
As captain, you didn’t just win matches—you changed mindsets.
You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard.
A true torchbearer of modern Indian Test cricket.#ThankYouVirat pic.twitter.com/rvFAulcMSQ
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 12, 2025Kehna asaan hai..samajhna mushkil.
Legend retires, legacy remains. Thank you, Virat bhai @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/O4d7E4U5sW
— Axar Patel (@akshar2026) May 12, 2025Biggest brand of the modern cricket era who gave it all for cricket’s oldest format. Test cricket owes that debt to Virat Kohli. 🙏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 12, 2025What an amazing Test career you've had, @imVkohli! From sharing dressing room banter in our early cricketing days to watching you grow as a legend and the best batsman in the world. Your fearless approach and dedication will inspire generations to come! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pnIsxl2v2s
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 12, 2025Numbers will not define Kohli’s Test legacy. They’re just a small fraction of what he did in/for the format.
Virat, you made a whole generation fall in love with Test cricket again. Thank You for your contribution.
Test Cricket will be poorer in your absence. 🙌
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 12, 2025I feel he at least had 3 more years in him, but his decision should be respected. Test cricket was never boring with Virat in. His presence alone brought millions of eyeballs. Once in a generation player. You will be missed @imVkohli Congratulations on a successful career 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/tOdzaz2wej
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 12, 2025Test cricket brought out the fighter in you and you gave it everything! You played the way greats do, with hunger in your heart, fire in your belly and pride in every stride. Proud of what you've done in whites. Go well King Kohli! @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ydJBA9W1I8
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 12, 2025The intensity, the passion, the fight – you gave it your all, every single time! All the best for what's ahead, @imVkohli bhai.
#RP17 pic.twitter.com/jeKH5mYogS
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) May 12, 2025Congratulations Virat on a Test career you can be incredibly proud of! Your passion for the format was inspiring…and it was an honour to share the crease with you over the years, in the heat of many-a-battle, grinding it out for the country! Will cherish the several memories… pic.twitter.com/0Qp9vofOPn
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) May 12, 2025Congratulations Virat on an incredible test career. From the time i saw you, knew that you are special. The intensity that you brought and the sheer passion with which you played Test cricket was a joy to watch. You were a great ambassador of Test cricket and wish you the best… pic.twitter.com/JP9yxQnnWC
— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 12, 2025Virat Kohli to Continue Representing India in ODIs After Test Retirement
Virat Kohli will play for India in the blues as he continues to aspire higher in the ODI format after announcing his retirement from T20I and Test cricket.
The longest and shortest formats of the game have seen themselves without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They will now try to practice their trade for the ODI World Cup that will be played in 2027.
