Virat Kohli Retires From Test Cricket: BCCI Pays Tribute, Says Former Indian Captain's Legacy To Remain FOREVER
Indian cricket great Virat Kohli on Monday announced his retirement from Test cricket, ending a storied red-ball career that lasted more than 13 years. Shortly after making the retirement announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), put up a Thank You message on X, previously called Twitter.
Expressing gratitude to the stylishly-aggressive Delhi batsman, BCCI stated his legacy will be remembered FOREVER.
"An era comes to an end in Test Cricket, but the legacy will live on FOREVER! @imVkohli, the ex-Team India Captain, hangs up his boots in Test cricket. His service to #TeamIndia will forever be remembered!"
Kohli’s decision comes after days of rumours regarding his Test future. Reports had indicated that he informed the BCCI ahead of the upcoming five-Test home series against England.
Captain Who Redefined India’s Test Ambitions
Under Kohli’s leadership, India rose to the top of the ICC Test rankings. He led the side in 68 Tests, winning 40, making him the fourth-most successful Test captain in history, behind only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41).
Kohli’s captaincy era was highlighted by a historic series win in Australia in 2018–19, which remains one of India’s greatest overseas triumphs.
Since his Test debut in 2011, Kohli has played 123 Tests, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He finishes with 30 centuries and seven double hundreds—the highest for any Indian batter in Test history, surpassing legends like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dravid, and Gavaskar.
Kohli's most prolific phase came between 2016 and 2018, during which he averaged over 75 across two consecutive years and scored 14 of his 30 Test centuries.
A Dip in Form and Change in Focus
In recent years, Kohli’s red-ball form dipped, and he stepped down as captain in 2022 following a series loss in South Africa. He later admitted that the pressures of captaincy and constant scrutiny impacted his mental health, prompting him to step back to find a “happy space.”
His final Test series was a quiet one in Australia, where he managed just a single century. Despite not reaching the 10,000-run mark—once seen as a certainty—he signs off as a giant of the game.
Era of Departures
Kohli’s exit follows the retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin (in December) and Rohit Sharma (last week), signalling a generational transition in Indian Test cricket.
Kohli had earlier retired from T20 Internationals following India’s T20 World Cup win in the Caribbean last year. He will now focus solely on ODIs and is not expected to retire before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
ODI Career Still Going Strong
The 36-year-old continues to shine in the 50-over format. In the recently concluded Champions Trophy, Kohli hit an unbeaten hundred against Pakistan and a crucial 84-run knock against Australia in the semifinal, helping India lift the trophy. He has played 302 ODIs to date.
Kohli’s Legacy in Test Cricket
Even as T20 leagues became global showpieces, Kohli’s presence helped keep interest alive in the Test format. His style, aggression, and commitment drew comparisons with cricketing greats like Sir Viv Richards, who acknowledged Kohli’s importance in preserving Test cricket’s appeal. As India begins a new chapter in Test cricket, Virat Kohli’s name will remain etched among its greatest ambassadors.
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