Virat Kohli Bids Farewell: Test Cricket Era Ends for India

Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket: End of an Era in Indian Cricket

In a major development for Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an emotional close to one of the most remarkable red-ball careers in the sport’s history. Kohli shared the news on social media, calling it a decision that was “not easy, but felt right.

A Legendary Test Career Comes to an End

Virat Kohli began his Test journey in 2011 and, over the next 14 years, became a pillar of Indian cricket. With 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries, Kohli retires as India’s fourth-highest run scorer in Tests — just behind cricketing giants like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Moreover, he holds the record for most Test double centuries (7) by an Indian batter, and his highest score of 254 remains a fan-favorite performance.

Leadership That Changed Indian Cricket

Kohli’s legacy goes far beyond numbers. From 2014 to 2022, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them — the most Test wins by any Indian captain.

Under his aggressive and fearless leadership, India:

Won historic Test series in Australia
Reached two World Test Championship finals
Created a pace-dominant bowling attack
Played with unmatched fitness and discipline

“I did it my way,” Kohli quoted Frank Sinatra in his farewell post — a strong message reflecting his confident and independent approach throughout his career.

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A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

What Family and Fans Said

Anushka Sharma, Kohli’s wife, shared a touching tribute on Instagram, recalling his dedication, pain, and glory. The BCCI also released a statement:

“An era ends, but the legacy lives on.”

Many fans are emotional but also grateful for the unmatched contribution Kohli made to Test cricket — especially when the format was losing charm among the younger generation.

Even though his Test chapter has ended, Kohli will continue playing ODIs and IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). His fans can still enjoy his aggressive batting and leadership in limited-overs cricket.