Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket After 14 Years

Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers and former Test captain, has announced his retirement from Test cricket at the age of 36. The decision comes just weeks before India’s tour of England and closely follows Rohit Sharma’s exit from the format.

Kohli informed the BCCI earlier this week, marking the end of a 14-year-long Test career in which he played 113 matches, scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.8, and became India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in the format.

In a heartfelt message, Kohli said, “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.”

Kohli’s final Test appearance came against Australia in Sydney. His exit, along with those of Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, leaves the Indian Test side low on experience ahead of the upcoming England series. Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be the most experienced member of the new-look squad.

Kohli’s Test captaincy era was among the most successful in Indian cricket history. He led India to 40 wins in 68 Tests, including a historic series victory in Australia in 2018–19 and five consecutive years as the No.1 Test team. He also played a crucial role in shaping a world-class pace attack with coach Ravi Shastri.

Kohli will now focus on ODI cricket, with his eyes set on the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.