Virat Kohli bids farewell to Test Cricket after 14 glorious years
Virat Kohli made announcement via Instagram, just weeks before India’s five-Test series against England kicks off on June 20
By Newsmeter Network
Virat Kohli announces his retirement from test cricket
New Delhi: In a heartfelt announcement on Monday, Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli declared his retirement from Test cricket, drawing the curtain on a remarkable 14-year journey in the longest format of the game.
The 36-year-old made the announcement via Instagram, just weeks before India’s five-Test series against England kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
Reflecting on his journey, 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.”
He continued, “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.”
Kohli retires as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. Since making his debut in 2011 against the West Indies in Jamaica, Kohli went on to play 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His career includes 30 centuries, 31 fifties, and a career-best unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019 in Pune.
He played his final Test in January 2025 at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the New Year’s Test against Australia.
Reportedly, Kohli informed the BCCI of his decision a day earlier, on Saturday. Although a senior official encouraged him to reconsider, Kohli remained firm in his choice.
His decision comes just days after Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7. Both players, following a challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, briefly returned for the Ranji Trophy before opting to conclude their Test journeys ahead of the England series.
