India’s Test cricket has seen many greats, but none quite like Virat Kohli. And now, after years of dedication, passion, and unforgettable moments, Kohli has officially retired from Test cricket.
This decision came shortly after Rohit Sharma had also ended his red-ball career. Two giants walking away in such a short time feels like the closing of a golden era. For millions of fans, it’s not just the end of a career, it’s the end of a feeling.
Virat Kohli Announces test cricket retirement on Instagram:
He wrote on his Insta:
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.
The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.
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 than I could’ve hoped for.
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.
I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.
#269, signing off.
3 reasons why virat kohli should take back his retirement
Perfect Fitness Level
Not only is Kohli physically fit for his age, but he is more fit than the majority of cricket players in their 20s. He has been diving full length in the outfield, backing it up every day for five days in a row, and running between the wickets like a teenager at the age of 36.
Here, there are no groaning knees or weary legs. He still has the physique for the job. In order to maintain a high level of energy in the field and to bat for extended periods of time, test cricket requires both endurance and sharpness, which Virat still provides in spades.
Kohli Test Records
- Matches: 123
- Runs: 9,230
- Highest score: 254* vs South Africa (2019)
- Average: 46.85
- Centuries: 30
- Half-centuries: 31
Details of his double centuries in Test:
1: 200 vs West Indies, 2016
2: 235 vs England, 2016
3: 204 vs Bangladesh, 2017
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4: 213 vs Sri Lanka, 2017
5: 243 vs Sri Lanka, 2017
6: 254* vs South Africa, 2019
7: 235 vs England, 2023
He now ranks fourth in terms of runs scored for India in Test matches, behind Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar.
The 36-year-old Kohli hasn’t been playing at his best lately. He made 190 runs in nine innings and only managed one hundred during the most recent tour of Australia. He said he was particularly disappointed by the recent Australia tour while speaking at a Royal Challengers Bengaluru event. Earlier, he used to think the 2014 England tour was his lowest point.
Impact on the field
He is the fourth-best captain in history and brings 123 matches of experience. As test captain, he has 40 victories in 68 games. He will help to lead the team on the field in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Replacement: Sai Sudharsan Likely To Open For India
