NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday through a social media post, concluding a 14-year career in the format. The 36-year-old cricketer, who made his Test debut in 2011, played 123 matches for India, scoring 9,230 runs with 30 centuries at an average of 46.85.Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has played alongside Kohli for Delhi and the national team, shared a message on social media acknowledging Kohli’s retirement.“A man with lion’s passion! Will miss u cheeks…,” wrote Gambhir.Kohli made the announcement on his Instagram page, addressing the speculation about his future in the format that intensified after the recent Australia tour.“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,” Kohli stated.“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 added.
During his tenure, Kohli led India to the number one position in Test rankings and achieved a historic series victory in Australia during 2018-19.Kohli will continue playing One Day Internationals, having already stepped away from T20 Internationals last year after contributing to India’s T20 World Cup victory in the Caribbean.His last Test series in Australia was relatively subdued, featuring just one century. He concludes his career short of the 10,000-run milestone, which was once considered achievable.“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,” Kohli expressed in his farewell message.
“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’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile,” he concluded.Kohli’s Test career statistics include seven double centuries, the highest for an Indian player, surpassing cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Rahul Dravid.His impact on Test cricket was significant during a time when T20 leagues dominated the sport, helping maintain fan interest in the traditional format. Cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, to whom Kohli was often compared for his aggressive style, acknowledged this contribution.
