India’s talismanic batter and most successful Test captain, Virat Kohli, has announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. The 36-year-old revealed the decision on Monday via his Instagram account, bringing the curtains down on a glittering red-ball career that helped reshape India’s identity in Test cricket.
Kohli’s decision, which had been anticipated following reports of his unavailability for the upcoming England tour, was confirmed despite attempts by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to persuade him otherwise.
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.
“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.
The cricketing world responded swiftly and warmly. The BCCI, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and current and former players paid glowing tributes to Kohli’s illustrious Test career.
Whites off, crown intact. Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.
The BCCI posted: “Thank you, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket, but the legacy will continue FOREVER! His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished!”
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 and went on to become a cornerstone of India’s red-ball renaissance. He led India to famous series victories against England and Australia at home and guided them to two World Test Championship finals.
Under his leadership, India evolved into a dominant Test force — aggressive, resilient, and relentless. His on-field intensity and off-field passion set the tone for a new generation. Kohli’s partnership with then-head coach Ravi Shastri proved especially impactful in building India’s formidable Test credentials abroad.
In numbers, his legacy is equally staggering. Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 51 fifties. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 — the most by any Indian captain — and losing just 17. He led India to victory in 18 of 24 Test series, and never lost a series at home.
Globally, he retires as the fourth-most successful Test captain, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41). His 30 centuries are the fourth-most by an Indian, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Rahul Dravid (36), and Sunil Gavaskar (34). His seven double hundreds remain the most by any Indian in Test cricket.
Notably, Kohli also holds the record for the most centuries by an Indian Test captain — 20 — nearly double that of Gavaskar’s 11.
Kohli had earlier retired from T20 internationals following India’s World Cup triumph in 2024. He will now continue to be available for selection in ODI cricket.
His retirement follows that of current captain Rohit Sharma, who also stepped away from Test cricket recently. The twin exits of India’s modern-day greats leave a substantial leadership and experience vacuum in the red-ball setup.
The upcoming tour of England will mark the beginning of a new era in Indian Test cricket, with the selectors facing the challenge of rebuilding a team around fresh faces and identifying a new leader capable of carrying forward the legacy left by Kohli and Sharma.
