SRINAGAR: Former India captain Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect on Monday, just weeks before India’s scheduled five-match Test series against England.The 35-year-old announced via Instagram, bringing an end to a remarkable red-ball career that spanned 14 years. Kohli becomes the latest senior player to step away from the format, following Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from Tests.
“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,” Kohli wrote in his statement. “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.”Kohli’s Test career stands among the most decorated in Indian cricket history. With 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85, he finishes fourth on India’s all-time Test run-scorers list — behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 and went on to become India’s most successful Test captain, leading the team to 40 wins in 68 matches. His aggressive leadership, fitness revolution, and consistent run-scoring helped redefine India’s approach to the longest format.
The decision comes as a surprise for many fans and pundits, especially with a marquee series against England on the horizon. However, sources suggest the call had been in consideration for several months, with Kohli reportedly eager to manage his workload and extend his career in white-ball formats. Kohli signed off his post with a simple yet emotional note: “#269, signing off,” referencing his Test cap number.
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