Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, drawing the curtains on a remarkable 14-year journey in the longest format of the game. The announcement came as a surprise to fans and experts alike, just a month before India’s much-anticipated Test series against England. Kohli, aged 36, made his decision public through a heartfelt social media post, expressing gratitude for the lessons and memories that Test cricket has given him.

Kohli’s Test Career

Kohli’s Test career began on 20 June 2011 against the West Indies in Kingston. Over the years, he established himself as a pillar of India’s batting line-up and went on to become one of the most successful Test captains in Indian cricket history. In his 123 Test matches, Kohli amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.8, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, making him India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Kohli’s leadership was marked by intensity, fitness, and an unyielding drive to win. He led India to many historic victories, including a memorable series win in Australia and a place in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. His batting prowess was at its peak during the previous decade, where he scored 7,202 runs at an average of nearly 55, with 27 centuries between 2010 and 2019.

However, the last few years have seen a dip in his red-ball form. Since 2020, Kohli managed only 2,028 runs in 68 innings at an average of 30.72-his lowest among Test batters with at least 2,000 runs in that period. Despite this, his contributions and fighting spirit remained unquestioned, and his presence in the dressing room was a source of inspiration for many young cricketers.

The timing of Kohli’s retirement has raised questions, coming just after Rohit Sharma’s departure from the format and before the England series. Reports suggest that Kohli wanted to give selectors enough time to plan for the future, as India’s Test squad is now set to be led by a younger generation, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill expected to take on bigger roles. With stalwarts like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara also out of the mix, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to be the most experienced player in the upcoming squad.

Kohli’s Farewell Message

In his farewell message, Kohli wrote, “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. 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’s last Test appearance was during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored a century in Perth but found runs hard to come by in the remaining matches. With his retirement from both T20Is and Tests, Kohli’s focus now shifts solely to ODI cricket, with the 2027 World Cup in South Africa at the top of his agenda.

Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing world. Former players, commentators, and fans have all acknowledged the void Kohli leaves behind. His IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, remarked, “Test Cricket won’t be the same”. Legendary commentator Harsha Bhogle and former England captain Kevin Pietersen also expressed their admiration and surprise at the timing of the decision.

Kohli’s Most Memorable Test innings

Virat Kohli’s Test career is studded with many unforgettable innings that defined not just his legacy but also the fortunes of Indian cricket. Across 123 Tests, Kohli produced several knocks that showcased his technical brilliance, mental toughness, and ability to perform under pressure, both at home and in challenging overseas conditions.

One of his earliest and most significant innings came during India’s 2013 tour of South Africa. In Johannesburg, Kohli scored 119 in the first innings and followed it up with a composed 96 in the second. Facing a formidable pace attack featuring Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Morne Morkel on a lively pitch, Kohli’s technique and temperament shone through, announcing his arrival as a reliable Test batsman in tough overseas conditions.

Kohli’s twin centuries in Adelaide in 2014 are widely remembered. In his first Test as captain, he scored 115 in the first innings and an audacious 141 in the second while chasing a steep target of 364. Despite India’s narrow defeat, Kohli’s aggressive approach and fearless strokeplay set the tone for his captaincy, earning admiration for his intent to chase victory rather than settle for a draw.

Another iconic knock came at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2016, where Kohli scored a monumental 235 against England. Batting for nearly nine hours on a pitch assisting spinners, he anchored India’s mammoth total and helped secure an innings victory. This innings was a testament to his stamina, concentration, and mastery against both pace and spin.

Kohli’s 149 at Edgbaston in 2018 stands out as one of his finest overseas performances. After a disappointing tour of England in 2014, Kohli silenced critics by almost single-handedly keeping India in the game against a high-quality English attack led by James Anderson and Stuart Broad. His innings, filled with grit and determination, is often hailed as one of the greatest centuries by an Indian in England.

In the same year, Kohli produced a gritty 153 at Centurion against South Africa. On a testing pitch with variable bounce, he was the lone warrior for India, compiling more than half of the team’s total. His ability to stand tall while wickets tumbled at the other end highlighted his resilience and technical prowess in challenging conditions.

Kohli’s highest individual Test score came in Pune in 2019, where he remained unbeaten on 254 against South Africa. This innings was a masterclass in control and shot selection, as he dismantled a strong bowling attack and helped India to a dominant victory. It also marked his seventh double century in Tests, underlining his appetite for big scores.

Other memorable knocks include his 169 at Melbourne in 2014, where he took on Mitchell Johnson and the Australian attack with courage and skill, and his 104* against Sri Lanka at Kolkata in 2017, where he rescued India from a precarious position on a green, seaming pitch.

These innings not only contributed to India’s successes but also cemented Kohli’s reputation as one of the modern greats of Test cricket, capable of delivering under the toughest circumstances and against the best bowling attacks in the world.

Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His passion, aggression, and commitment have set new benchmarks for future generations. As the nation bids farewell to its modern-day great in whites, the memories of his iconic knocks and inspirational leadership will remain etched in the hearts of cricket lovers forever.