Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the test cricket on Monday, May 12, ending a remarkable 14 -year career in the longest game format. A 36 -year -old man made a notice before the Indian test series of five matches against England, starting on June 20 in Headingley, Leeds. Shared messages via a statement on his Instagram account.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore Baggy Blue in a test cricket. I honestly did not imagine the way this format would take me. It’s tested, shaped me and taught me lessons that I take for a lifetime,” Kohli wrote.
“There is something deeply personal to play in white. Silent grinding, long days, small moments that no one sees, but that will stay with you forever.”
“When I resigned from this format, it’s not easy – but it’s right. I gave him everything I had, and that gave me much more than I could hope,” Kohli wrote.
“I go away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every person who made me feel on the way. I always look back at my test career with a smile,” Kohli added.
Kohli retires as the fourth highest Indian running shooter in the test cricket, for only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavascar. He made his debut at Jamaica against West India, just two months after he was part of the ODI World Cup Indian team in 2011.
His final performance in the format came during the New Year’s test against Australia in January on a cricket land in Sydney. During 123 tests, Kohli gathered 9 230 runs on average 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half -life. His highest score – undefeated 254 – represented against South Africa in 2019 at the stadium of the Maharashtra cricket in PUNE.
On Saturday, the day before the announcement, Kohl reportedly reported the Cryta Council in India (BCCI) about his intention to retire. The head of the BCCI official urged him to reconsider, but Kohli eventually stood at his decision.
Kohli’s retirement closely follows the Rohit Sharma, that resigned from the test cricket 7. May. Both veterans had a difficult trip in Trophy border Gavascar 2024–25. Although they briefly returned to the home cricket in the trophy of Ranja for their relevant state teams, they decided to end their test career before the Indian tour of England.
Published:
Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Published on:
12 May 2025
Tune
