Virat Kohli, one of India’s most iconic cricketers, has announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of a distinguished career that spanned 14 years. Kohli’s decision to step away from the longest format of the game comes after 123 Test matches, during which he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. He also captained the Indian team in 68 of those matches.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, Kohli reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude for the game and the lessons it taught him. “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,” he wrote. He also mentioned the deep personal connection he has with the format, particularly with the “quiet grind” of Test cricket and the moments that stay with a player forever.
Despite recent struggles with form, including a drop in his average over the last 24 months, Kohli’s leadership and experience were seen as vital for India’s upcoming series in England. However, after conversations with the BCCI, it became clear that Kohli was ready to retire from Tests. His retirement follows that of Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill expected to take over as India’s new Test captain.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and quickly established himself as one of the best in the format. He has played a pivotal role in India’s rise in world cricket, especially in the Test arena. Kohli led India to two successive World Test Championship (WTC) finals, the first under his leadership.
Under Kohli’s captaincy, India became the most successful Test team, winning 40 of the 68 Tests he captained. His leadership record surpasses that of MS Dhoni, who won 27 Test matches from 60, and Sourav Ganguly, who won 21 from 49.
One of his standout performances came during the 2014-15 series in Australia, where Kohli scored twin centuries in Adelaide and later became India’s full-time Test captain after MS Dhoni’s retirement from the format. Kohli’s most prolific year in Tests was 2018, when he scored 1322 runs across formats, including an outstanding 583 runs in the England series, cementing his legacy as one of the best Test batsmen of his generation.
As Kohli steps away from Test cricket, his remarkable contributions to the game will be remembered, not just for his runs, but for his passion and leadership that inspired an entire generation of cricketers.
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