Breaking News: "#269, signing off.." Virat Kohli announces retirement from test cricket

Virat Kohli represented India in 123 tests.

Indian batting legend Virat Kohli announced his retirement from test cricket on Monday, May 12. The right-handed batsman was in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the last few weeks about his test retirement. However, BCCI officials reportedly asked him to reconsider his decision.

His retirement has arrived just a week after Rohit Sharma hung up his boots from the longest format. Sharma pulled down the curtains on his test career on May 7. However, he will continue to be part of the ODI as skipper. Similarly, Kohli will continue to represent Indian Cricket Team only in ODIs.

Last year, both Sharma and Kohli retired from the T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies. Kohli made his test debut in June 2011 against West Indies and played 123 games. Kohli’s last test for India came in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25

Virat Kohli announces test retirement with a heart-warming post on Instagram

On Monday, May 12, Virat Kohli took it to Instagram to inform his fans about his test retirement. He shared a heart-warming post along with his photo to bid goodbye to the longest format. In his post, he recalled his 14-year-long journey in the red-ball format and also thanked his fans for their support over the years.

“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”, the 36-year-old wrote.

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”, Kohli added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

The right-handed batsman slammed 9230 runs across 210 innings in the longest format at an average of 46.85. He also shattered 30 centuries, including seven double centuries. He slammed his top score of 254 against South Africa in 2019 at home.

Notably, Virat Kohli was expected to be part of India’s forthcoming test series against England. However, his retirement has come as a surprise to the cricket fraternity. India will travel to England for a five-match test series next month.

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