Virat Kohli Test retirement has officially marked the end of a golden era for Indian cricket. The legendary batter announced his exit from the longest format just weeks before India’s much-anticipated England tour. Virat Kohli Test retirement came as a surprise to many, especially with the star batter still showing flashes of brilliance in recent matches. His decision follows Rohit Sharma’s Test exit, leaving Indian fans emotional and nostalgic.
A Heartfelt Goodbye to Test Cricket
Sharing his thoughts on social media, Kohli reflected on his 14-year-long Test career:
“The grind, the long days in whites—Test cricket shaped me in ways I never imagined. I leave with gratitude.”
Kohli played 113 matches and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.8. He finishes as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Virat Kohli’s Test Career Highlights
Kohli’s influence was tremendous. India’s most successful Test captain, he took the team to 40 wins out of 68 matches. Under his captaincy, India recorded their first-ever Test series victory in Australia in the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
He also helped India retain the ICC Test Championship mace for five consecutive years.
Struggles and Redemption
Kohli had his share of struggles. In 2014, he faced a disappointing tour of England, scoring just 134 runs in five matches. However, he made a stunning comeback in 2018, scoring 593 runs with two centuries, proving critics wrong.
His performance earned him the ICC Test Player of the Year award.
Kohli vs Australia – A Rivalry to Remember
Kohli saved his best for Australia. He scored 3,320 Test runs and nine centuries against them. His twin tons in the 2014 Adelaide Test are still celebrated.
This rivalry defined his stature as one of India’s greatest Test cricketers.
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Decline and Final Matches
Post-2019, Kohli’s form dipped. For nearly three years, he didn’t score a century in Tests. He finally broke the drought with a hundred against Australia in his penultimate series.
His last series saw him score 190 runs, including a crucial century.
Future Focus: ODI Cricket and World Cup 2027
Now that he has retired from both T20Is and Tests, Kohli’s sole focus is on ODI cricket, especially the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
Fans expect him to continue dominating as one of India’s most consistent limited-overs players.
India’s Test Team Without Kohli
The retirements of Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kohli create a leadership vacuum. With Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara as well out of the running, India’s Test team will usher in a new era.
The most experienced cricketer playing in the future India vs England Test series 2025 would be Ravindra Jadeja.
