In a heartfelt announcement, Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket, ending a legendary 14-year journey that defined an era for Indian cricket fans.

On Monday, May 12, Indian cricket witnessed the end of an era as Virat Kohli officially retired from Test cricket. The 36-year-old, known for his fierce passion and unmatched consistency, shared the news on Instagram, just weeks ahead of India’s much-anticipated Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.

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Quick Read: Key Highlights of Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement

• Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket after a 14-year career.

• Announced the decision via Instagram on May 12, 2025.

• Ends with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85.

• Scored 30 centuries and 31 fifties; highest score: 254* vs South Africa.

• Made his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies in Jamaica.

• Final Test was in January 2025 against Australia in Sydney.

• Follows Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Tests on May 7.

• Informed BCCI a day before public announcement; urged to reconsider.

• India now prepares for a new era as they gear up for the England series.

A Fond Goodbye to the Purest Format

Virat Kohli isn’t just a name; for an entire generation, he has been the face of Indian cricket — and particularly, Test cricket. On May 12, when he announced his retirement from the format he often described as “closest to his heart,” fans around the world were left both stunned and nostalgic.

Sharing a long, emotional note on Instagram, Kohli reflected on his journey in whites.

“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote. “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 spoke about the “quiet grind” of Test cricket — the hours of patience, resilience, and personal growth that often go unnoticed. “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,” he added.

There was no press conference. No elaborate farewell. Just Virat being Virat — direct, dignified, and deeply personal. It was a reminder that this wasn’t just about cricket; it was about closing a chapter of life that meant everything to him.

A Record That Speaks for Itself

Statistically, Kohli retires as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, trailing only icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

• Debut: 2011 vs West Indies in Jamaica

• Matches: 123

• Runs: 9,230

• Average: 46.85

• Centuries: 30

• Half-Centuries: 31

• Highest Score: 254* vs South Africa (2019)

His final innings came earlier this year at the Sydney Cricket Ground during India’s New Year Test against Australia — a quiet but fitting end to a vibrant chapter.

Behind-the-Scenes: BCCI Tried to Hold Him Back

Interestingly, Kohli’s decision wasn’t sudden. According to reports, he informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a day prior to the public announcement. Sources say a senior BCCI official even urged him to reconsider. But Kohli, ever the man of clarity and conviction, chose to stay firm.

His retirement comes just days after Rohit Sharma also hung up his boots from Test cricket on May 7, signaling a generational shift in India’s red-ball setup.

Both players had a forgettable run in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, prompting speculation about the future. Although they briefly returned to domestic cricket through the Ranji Trophy, it was clear that the hunger for five-day cricket had waned. With two icons stepping away, India’s tour of England in June marks the beginning of a new era.

Legacy Beyond Numbers

Kohli’s Test career wasn’t just about stats. He transformed India’s approach to Test cricket — making fitness non-negotiable, bringing aggression to the forefront, and most importantly, making youngsters believe that Test cricket could still be cool.

Under his captaincy, India reached new heights — winning overseas, challenging mighty teams on their turf, and never backing down. He was relentless, passionate, and sometimes controversial, but always authentic.

From his classic hundreds in Australia to his animated celebrations, Kohli brought a certain drama to the longest format — and fans loved him for it.

What’s Next for Kohli?

While he’s done with Test cricket, Kohli hasn’t hinted at retiring from ODIs or T20s just yet. With the T20 World Cup 2026 and ODI World Cup 2027 on the horizon, he may continue to play a key role in India’s white-ball squads.

For now, though, it’s about saying goodbye to the format he called home for over a decade — a place where he grew from a young hopeful into a modern-day legend.

Final Word

Virat Kohli walking away from Test cricket is not just a retirement — it’s a moment that signals the end of a golden chapter in Indian cricket. From thrilling centuries to heated duels, from overseas conquests to emotional highs, Kohli’s Test journey was nothing short of a movie script.

And now, as he closes this door, millions of fans across the globe will remember him not just for the runs, but for the fire he brought every time he stepped onto the field in whites.