‘I’ve given it everything I had...’: Virat Kohli announces Test retirement

India’s star batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, 12 May, bringing to a close a remarkable 14-year journey in the red-ball format. This announcement comes shortly after Rohit Sharma’s decision to step away from the longest format.

Kohli made the announcement via a heartfelt message on social media, writing, “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket... I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.

Widely regarded as one of the modern greats, Kohli played 113 Tests for India, scoring over 9000 runs at an average of more than 46, including 30 centuries and 31 half centuries. Under his captaincy, India reached the number one Test ranking and recorded memorable overseas wins, including a historic series triumph in Australia.

The 2014–15 Test series in Australia remains one of Virat Kohli’s finest performances with the bat. Standing in as captain for two of the four matches in MS Dhoni’s absence, Kohli amassed a staggering 692 runs at an average of 86.50, including four masterful centuries. Despite India losing the series 2–0, Kohli’s batting brilliance stood out.

In 2018–19, Kohli etched his name in history by leading India to their first-ever Test series victory on Australian soil. Although less dominant with the bat — scoring 282 runs across four Tests at an average of 40.28 — his leadership was instrumental in the landmark triumph.

Kohli noted the emotional pull of Test cricket in his farewell: “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites... the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”

Kohli’s departure leaves a significant gap in India’s red-ball squad but signals a clear focus shift towards the ODI format ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy and future ICC events.