GUWAHATI: Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, May 12, concluding a remarkable 14-year career in the longest format of the game. The 36-year-old batter amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches, averaging 46.85. This decision comes shortly after Rohit Sharma also stepped away from Test cricket, prompting a significant reshaping of India’s leadership and batting lineup ahead of the upcoming five-Test series in England.
Kohli made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011. He took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014, leading the team in 68 matches, the most by any Indian captain. During his tenure, India won 40 Tests, drew 11, and lost 17, achieving a win percentage of 58.82. Notably, his leadership saw India secure its first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2019.
India now enters a transitional phase, with Shubman Gill emerging as a strong candidate to assume the captaincy. The retirements of both Kohli and Sharma have left the middle order significantly weakened ahead of the England tour. Kohli’s recent Test performances showed a decline, with just one century and 190 runs from nine innings during his last tour of Australia.
The former skipper had previously retired from T20 Internationals following India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
In an emotional statement on Instagram, Kohli reflected on his journey: “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.”
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/virat-kohli-retires-from-test-cricket-after-14-year-career
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Publish Date: 2025-05-13 17:15:00
