Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket Leaving the World in Shock
Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, after 123 matches and 9,230 runs. Explore his iconic career, stats, and the impact on Indian cricket in this blog.
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On May 12, 2025, Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, sharing an emotional post on Instagram that marked the end of a 14-year journey in the longest format. The 36-year-old signed off as India’s 269th Test player with the hashtag #269, leaving fans stunned, especially after Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement just days prior, as reported by Times of India. This news has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
Kohli, who debuted against the West Indies in 2011, played 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties, according to ESPNcricinfo. His highest score of 254* came against South Africa in 2019. As India’s most successful Test captain, he led in 68 matches, securing 40 wins, including a historic series victory in Australia in 2019. However, his recent struggles in the Australia series earlier this year had sparked debates about his spot in the team, as noted by The Indian Express.
Reports suggest mixed responses from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While some sources claim the BCCI urged Kohli to reconsider ahead of the England series, others indicate selectors felt he no longer fit the Test squad, per a Cricbuzz report. The same report revealed that Rajeev Shukla, BCCI vice-president, and former coach Ravi Shastri tried to persuade Kohli to continue, but political tensions between India and Pakistan reportedly halted a key meeting with Shukla.
Kohli’s retirement drew heartfelt reactions. Bollywood stars like Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal, along with cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, hailed his legacy on X. Young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal wrote on Instagram that Kohli made a generation fall in love with cricket. Head coach Gautam Gambhir shared on X, “Will miss u cheeks.” Anushka Sharma, Kohli’s wife, praised his unseen struggles, noting he “earned every bit of it,” as quoted by NDTV.
Kohli transformed Test cricket, making it appealing to Gen Z with his intensity and swagger. His leadership redefined India’s overseas Test approach, and his fitness standards inspired millions. As India enters a post-Kohli era, Test cricket will miss him at No. 4. Fans can still see him in ODIs, but the whites will miss their King.
Thank you, Virat, for the memories.
