Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket

By  News On Air   May 12, 2025

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test Cricket, bringing down the curtain on a stellar 14-year journey in whites. Widely regarded as one of the modern greats of the game, Virat took to social media to share the news with fans and reflect on his journey in the longest and most traditional format of the sport. His announcement marks the end of an era in Indian Test cricket.

Virat amassed 9230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85 in the game’s longest format. In his 14-year Test career, Kohli went on to become the fourth-highest run-getter for India, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar.

The former India captain made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, eventually becoming the skipper three years later. He led the country in 68 Tests, most by an Indian, losing just 17 of them. With a win percentage of 58.82 per cent, which includes 40 wins and 11 draws, the batter remains India’s most successful red-ball captain.

Under Kohli’s captaincy, India won a series in Australia for the first time in 2019. His last Test was also in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, earlier this year, which the hosts won by six wickets, ending the series 3-1 in their favour.

Kohli had already retired from T20 Internationals after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The decision comes days after Rohit Sharma announced his Test retirement, with Shubman Gill emerging as the leading contender to replace him as captain.