India’s former Test captain Virat Kohli has officially retired from red-ball cricket, concluding a remarkable 14-year career that saw him feature in 123 Tests and accumulate 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85.
The announcement was made by Kohli via social media, where he expressed deep gratitude for his journey in the longest format. He described Test cricket as a format that tested and shaped him, saying it taught him life lessons he would always carry. Though he found the decision difficult, Kohli believed it was the right time to move on, adding that he was stepping away with a heart full of appreciation.
Kohli had already informed the BCCI of his decision before India’s upcoming five-match series in England. Reports suggest that discussions regarding his retirement had been ongoing for the past month.
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Despite his legendary status, Kohli’s recent Test form had seen a dip. His last century came in November 2024 in Perth, ending a long drought since July 2023. His average, once above 55, had fallen to 32.56 over the past two years.
Kohli’s leadership left a lasting mark on Indian cricket. As captain, he led India in 68 matches, securing 40 wins – more than any other Indian skipper in history. He succeeded MS Dhoni during the Australia tour of 2014-15 and ushered in a new era with bold captaincy and intense fitness standards.
From his debut in 2011 to a standout 2018 England tour and a golden period between 2016 and 2019, Kohli redefined batting standards. Though he will no longer feature in Tests or T20Is, Kohli remains available for ODIs.