Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, marking the end of a remarkable 14-year journey in the longest format of the game. Kohli made the announcement on Monday, May 12, via a heartfelt Instagram post.
Kohli’s Test career includes 123 matches, 9,230 runs, an average of 46.85, and 30 centuries solidifying his place among modern cricket legends.
“The Baggy Blue Will Always Be Special” Kohli’s Emotional Farewell
In his emotional post, Kohli wrote,
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the ‘baggy blue’ of Test cricket. Never did I imagine the journey it would take me on. It tested me, shaped me, and taught me beyond what I could have dreamed.”
He further added,
“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites – the silent hard work, the long days, and the unseen moments that stay with you forever.”
End of an Era in Indian Cricket
Kohli’s retirement comes shortly after Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin also stepped away from Test cricket, signalling the end of a golden era. This transition echoes past milestones like the 2012 retirements of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, followed by Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag — collectively marking a generational shift in Indian cricket.
From Debut to Dominance
Kohli debuted in 2011 against the West Indies at Sabina Park, but it was his 116 in Adelaide (2012) against Australia that solidified his place. He soon became the team’s backbone, and after MS Dhoni’s retirement, Kohli took over the captaincy — ushering in one of the most successful eras in Indian Test cricket.
Among his most iconic innings:
- 119 & 96 vs South Africa in 2014, facing legends like Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis
- 169 at MCG and 147 at SCG on the 2014 Australia tour
- 235 against England in Mumbai (2016) – his career-best score
- 104 vs Sri Lanka* on a green pitch in Kolkata (2017)
- 149 & 103 in England (2018) – silencing critics after a tough 2014 tour
Breaking Records and Setting New Ones
Kohli recorded seven double centuries, starting with his maiden one in 2016 vs West Indies at North Sound. He holds the record for most Test double centuries by an Indian and ranks fourth overall in the world.
Under his leadership, India won their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018, ending a 71-year drought.
A Dip in Form and Final Hurrah
After scoring his last century in 2019 against Bangladesh in Kolkata, Kohli endured a prolonged lean patch. It wasn’t until 2023, in a match against Australia in Ahmedabad, that he broke the drought.
Legacy That Transcends Numbers
Virat Kohli’s legacy in Test cricket goes far beyond statistics. He redefined aggression, fitness, and consistency in the red-ball format, inspired a new generation, and led India to historic heights.
As he steps away from the whites, an era of Indian cricket ends — leaving behind memories etched in gold and a blueprint for future champions.