Veteran batter Virat Kohli has also announced his retirement from Test cricket. Before the England tour, Captain Rohit Sharma also said goodbye to Test cricket and now Virat Kohli has also officially confirmed his retirement from red ball cricket. He informed about his Test retirement on Instagram. Earlier, Virat and Rohit also retired together from T20 Internationals. Virat has written on his Insta – 269 signing off. 269 is his Test cap number. He will no longer go on the England tour.
Virat Kohli Posted an Emotional Post on Retirement
Announcing his retirement, Virat Kohli wrote on Instagram, “It has been 14 years since I wore the baggy blue for the first time in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined what a journey this format would take me on. It tested me, shaped me and taught me lessons that I will carry with me for a lifetime. Playing in white is a very personal experience. Quiet hard work, long days, small moments that no one sees, but which stay with you forever.”
Virat Kohli further writes, “I am moving away from this format, but it is not easy. However, it feels right. I have given my all in it, and it has given me more than I expected. I am leaving with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people with whom I shared the field and for every single person who saw me during this time. I will always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off.” Ravichandran Ashwin have also retired from the Test format.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, Will Continue to Play in ODIs
Virat made his Test debut against West Indies on 20 June 2011. While, he played his last match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on 3 January 2025. Kohli scored a total of 9230 runs in 210 innings of 123 Test matches. This includes a total of 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries including seven double centuries. His average has been 46.85, while the strike rate was 55.58. He remained unbeaten in this format 13 times. He hit 1027 fours and 30 sixes in his Test career.
Virat Kohli’s International Cricket Career
| 123 Tests | 210 innings | 9230 runs | 46.85 average | 30 centuries | 31 fifties |
| 302 ODIs | 290 innings | 14181 runs | 57.88 average | 51 centuries | 74 fifties |
| 125 T20s | 117 innings | 4188 runs | 48.69 average | 1 century | 38 fifties |
The 36-year-old was last seen playing in Test cricket in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the tour of Australia, where India had to accept defeat by 1-3 in the 5-match series. Kohli did hit a century in the first match of the series i.e. Perth Test, but after that he was seen struggling. Kohli’s decision to retire has come at a time when the selectors were going to select the team for the 5 Test match series to be held in England next month in a few days.
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Virat Kohli’s Test debut was in June 2011 against West Indies in Kingston. Kohli had then scored 4 runs in the first innings and 15 runs in the second innings. His last test was against Australia in Sydney, which was played in January 2025. In this last test, Kohli scored 17 runs in the first innings and 6 runs in the second innings. He has played 123 test matches. During this period, he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 and has scored 30 centuries along with 31 half-centuries.
Virat Kohli was India’s Best Captain in Tests
Virat has been India’s most successful captain in Test history. He captained India in 68 Test matches in which the team won 40. When Kohli took over as captain, the Indian team was in the seventh position. But soon, the team reached to the number 1 position. He left captaincy when he was the best as a captain. As a captain, he played 68 Tests in which Team India won 40. Lost 17 and drew 11. He established India’s victory on foreign soil as a habit and not a fluke.
Virat Kohli has Scored 7 Double Centuries in Tests
Virat has established himself as a legend in the format with 7 double centuries, the most by an Indian player. He is well ahead of legendary Sunil Gavaskar (4), Sachin Tendulkar (6), Virender Sehwag (6) and Rahul Dravid (5). At a time when T20 league has become the most popular and most watched tournament in international cricket, Kohli’s magic played a vital role in keeping fans hooked to Test cricket. This fact was also acknowledged by Sir Viv Richards.