End of an Era: Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket
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After a 14-year Test cricket journey, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, April 12, 2025.
Last year, he announced his retirement from T20I cricket but continued playing in other formats. However, this year, after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Virat Kohli also announced his retirement through a social media post.
According to sources on Saturday, Virat Kohli had communicated with a BCCI official regarding his Test retirement ahead of India’s five-Test tour of England, starting June 20. Today, he officially announced his retirement through his social media post.
“It’s not easy, but it feels right” – Virat Kohli
In his Instagram post about retirement, Virat Kohli mentioned that,
“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 said in a social media statement on Monday morning. “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.”
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Virat Kohli’s Test Career
Virat Kohli started his Test career by making his debut against the West Indies in June 2011. He has played a total of 113 matches and scored 8,848 runs with an average of 49.25. Virat has scored 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries in the Test format. His highest score is 254* against South Africa in 2019. He also holds the record for the most Test wins (40 matches) as an Indian captain, and has also scored the most centuries in Tests for India as captain.
Test Captaincy Legacy
Virat Kohli was the captain of the Indian Test team from 2014 to 2022. He played 68 matches as captain and won 40 of them. Virat is considered one of the most successful Indian Test captains.
Under Kohli’s captaincy, India held the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings for 5 consecutive years. In 2018–19, India recorded its first-ever Test series win in Australia under Virat’s leadership.
Records & Achievements
Most centuries in Tests as captain for India.
Fastest Indian to score 7,000 and 8,000 Test runs.
Led India to No. 1 ICC Test Team Ranking for 5 consecutive years (2016–2020).
ICC Test Player of the Year: 2018.
