Virat Kohli Retires From Test Cricket After 14 Years
India's batting stalwart retires with 9,230 runs and a legacy etched in red-ball history
In a heartfelt announcement that marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has officially retired from Test cricket. The 36-year-old shared the news on Instagram Monday morning, just a week after his successor, Rohit Sharma, also stepped away from the longest format of the game.
Kohli, who made his Test debut 14 years ago, leaves behind an extraordinary record — 9,230 runs in 123 matches, making him the fourth-highest Test run-scorer in Indian cricket history. More than the numbers, however, it was his intensity, leadership, and passion for the red-ball game that defined his legacy.
Reflecting on his journey, 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,” he added, pointing to the unseen struggles and quiet triumphs that define Test cricket. “The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
Acknowledging that the decision to retire wasn’t an easy one, Kohli said 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,” he said. “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’s retirement comes just weeks before India embarks on a five-match Test series in England — a tour he will now witness from the sidelines. Yet his influence on Indian cricket, especially in the Test arena, will remain indelible. From fierce battles overseas to iconic victories at home, Kohli’s era was defined by resilience, aggression, and an unwavering belief in Test cricket’s enduring value.
As the cricketing world bids farewell to one of the modern greats in whites, Kohli’s words serve as a poignant reminder of what Test cricket means to those who play it — and those who love it.
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