Virat Kohli announces Test retirement, says ‘I will always look back at my Test career with a smile'

Days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement in Test cricket, Virat Kohli became the latest high-profile Indian cricketer to call it a day from the red-ball game. Kohli's retirement was on the line after Rohit called it a day in the middle of ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Several reports emerged that the BCCI had asked Kohli not to retire from the longest format at this time, considering India's tour to England next month.

However, the former India captain decided to call his day in Tests after 14 illustrious years. However, Kohli will continue to represent India in the ODI format with an eye for the 2027 World Cup. The 36-year-old took to Instagram to announce his retirement.

“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,” Kohli wrote on Instagram.

"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,” he added.

Virat Kohli's last Test

Kohli's last Test in Indian jersey came in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy during the fifth game in Sydney. Kohli will also be remembered most for his spell as captain between 2014-2022.

During his time as an Indian captain, Kohli led the country in 68 Tests and won 40 out of them, thus becoming the country's most successful skipper in the format and sits fourth in the list of captains with the most Test victories.

Only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) won more tests as captains. India suffered only 17 defeats with Kohli at the helm as he guided the side to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, where they lost to New Zealand.

Virat Kohli's numbers in Tests

Kohli, who made his debut in 2011 and scored 30 centuries and 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 over 123 Tests and 31 fifties.