"Test cricket won't be same without you.." Cricketing fraternity reacts to Virat Kohli's retirement from test cricket.
Virat Kohli retired from tests after 123 games and 9230 runs from 2011-2025.
Virat Kohli has officially retired from test cricket, concluding a remarkable 14-year career that spanned 123 matches, including 68 as captain. Throughout his test journey, he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 31 centuries and 30 half-centuries. His highest score was an unbeaten 254.
As captain, Kohli led India to 40 victories in 68 tests and notably guided the team to their first-ever test series win in Australia during the 2018–19 tour.
Virat Kohli informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his decision on Saturday, just before the announcement of the squad for the crucial five-match test series against England starting on June 20, in which he was expected to be included.
Virat Kohli announces retirement from test cricket
In an Instagram post on Monday (May 12), 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.”
Only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar have scored more runs for India in test cricket than Kohli, who finished his career as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format. He made his test debut in June 2011 against the West Indies in Jamaica, just two months after being part of India’s victorious 2011 ODI World Cup squad.
Sources indicate that Kohli informed the BCCI of his intent to retire on Saturday. Although a senior BCCI official urged him to reconsider, Kohli remained firm in his decision.
His announcement follows Rohit Sharma’s retirement from test cricket on May 7. Both veterans faced challenges during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Kohli’s final test appearance came in January at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the New Year’s test against Australia.
The cricket fraternity was all praise for Virat Kohli and lauded him for an epic career in test cricket.
Here are the posts:
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