Virat Kohli Test Retirement marked the end of an era for one of India’s most loved and successful cricketers. In May 2025, Virat announced his retirement from test cricket at the age of 36. With that, Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from the test matches. They both have marked the end of their journey in this format.
The Announcement That Stunned The Cricket World
Kohli’s retirement announcement came like a shock to the world because no one expected it. On 12th May, he made this announcement via his Instagram account. Addressing his retirement, he wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram stating:
“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.”
A Legendary Career Of Virat Kohli In Cricket
Virat Kohli’s journey in test cricket matches has been nothing but extraordinary. He made his debut in Test match on 20 June 2011 against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Soon after, he became a key player in India’s batting lineup. Kohli’s aggressive approach to batting revolutionized Indian Test cricket, and he became the face of the team during its transition under his captaincy. He was the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018–19), and his aggressive, fitness-driven approach redefined the team’s identity at home and abroad. Over the years, he consistently performed at his best and was 100 percent committed on the field. Virat Kohli had an illustrious career in test matches. And here are the greatest achievements of Virat in Test cricket:
| Statistic | Value |
| Matches | 123 |
| Runs | 9,230 |
| Average | 46.85 |
| Centuries (100s) | 30 |
| Half-centuries (50s) | 31 |
| Double hundreds (200s) | 7 (most by an Indian) |
| Highest Score | 254 |
| Fours | 1,027 |
| Sixes | 30 |
| Tests as Captain | 68 (40 wins, 17 losses, 11 draws) |
Reason Behind Virat Kohli’s Retirement
In July 2025, Virat Kohli finally revealed the reason behind his retirement from test cricket at a charity event which took place in London. The event was hosted by Yuvraj Singh. In the interview, Virat was asked about his decision, and he then responded with a witty comment, saying:
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days.”
While the comment he made drew laughter, Virat Kohli’s hint at the deeper realities of someone who has a long career. He also acknowledged the fact that playing the same role for a long time may reflect on the mind of an athlete as well. In the earlier interviews, he had already talked candidly. With this he also acknowledges the fact that age is also a very important factor and age also takes a toll on your performance. With that we are going to lose one of the prominent players on the Team India in test cricket.
An Emotional Farewell To Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s retirement was not less than an emotional event for a lot of cricket fans. At the London event, he reminisced about his early days and the support he has received from Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. Mentioning them in the event, he said:
“We shared a very good bond both on and off the field. When I started playing for India, Yuvi pa, Bhajju pa, and Zak took me under their wings and made me feel comfortable in the dressing room.”
After His Retirement: What Is Next For Team India?
Virat Kohli’s retirement, which comes after Rohit Sharma’s retirement announcement did leave a significant void in the Indian Test Side. His legacy and experience motivated a lot of new-age cricketers who are ready to step up. Now, the leadership in the test cricket matches has passed to Shubman Gill, who is already making headlines. He has made record-making scores like 269 against England. With that, he signalled a promising new era of the Indian National cricket team.
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