Kohli Bids Farewell to Test Cricket, Leaving a Legacy Behind

The announcement follows Rohit Sharma's retirement just days before a five-Test series in England, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket.

Legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli has officially declared his retirement from Test cricket, drawing the curtain on an illustrious career that has spanned over 14 years. His decision comes ahead of the upcoming five-Test series against England, which is set to kick off on June 20, and follows closely behind the retirement of captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday.

At 36, Kohli leaves behind an impressive record of 9,230 runs scored in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85. Taking to social media, Kohli reflected on his journey, stating, "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."

Kohli, who had previously retired from T20 internationals in 2024 following India's World Cup triumph, has confirmed that he will continue to participate in one-day internationals for the foreseeable future. Making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, Kohli became captain of the Indian Test team in 68 matches, achieving an impressive 40 wins—making him the most successful captain for India in this format.

In his emotional farewell message, Kohli expressed, "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."

Kohli, often cited as one of the four batting greats of his generation alongside Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, scored an impressive 30 Test centuries during his career. However, his recent form has waned, with his last Test century recorded as 100 not out against Australia in November, marking his first in 15 innings across 16 months and indicating a struggle with consistency since January 2020, where he has averaged only 30.72 in that span. Hearts will surely remember Kohli's contributions as he walks away from Test cricket with gratitude and a smile.