Team India star batter Virat Kohli on Monday shocked the world after he announced his retirement from Test Cricket. Virat Kohli took to his social media and posted a long note about his decision to retire from Test international cricket. Virat Kohli's retirement comes ahead of India's tour of England in which they will lock horns in 5-matches Test series. Notably, Rohit Sharma also took retirement from tests a few days ago.
Virat Kohli Retirement
Virat 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."
Virat Kohli Retirement Buzz
After Rohit Sharma's retirement from Tests, ESPNCricinfo reported that Team India star Virat Kohli communicated his desire to retire from Test cricket to the BCCI. He informed this ahead of the big five-match series in England starting June 20, for which he is expected to be a part of the squad.
Virat Kohli's Test career spanned 14 years and included 123 Tests - 68 of them as captain - in which he has 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. Kohli's last test ton was in the Perth Test in November 2024.It was his first century in Tests since July 2023 (against West Indies in Port of Spain), and his average, 55.10 at its peak after he scored his career best of 254 not out vs South Africa in Pune in 2019, has been 32.56 over the last 24 months.