Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket. He shared the news on social media. Fans are sad but grateful. He played 123 Tests in 14 years. Kohli scored 9230 runs in total. His average was 46.85. He led India in 68 Tests and won 40. That’s a big record! Retirement came after tough times lately. His average dropped to 32.56 recently. Still, he’s a hero to many. Kohli said Tests shaped him. He loved the hard work and quiet moments. Now, he steps away feeling happy. Indian cricket will miss him. Young players like Shubman Gill might lead next. This marks the end of a great chapter. Let’s look back at his journey!
Kohli’s Amazing Test Career Moments
Virat Kohli started Test cricket in 2011. His debut was in the West Indies. He scored just 76 runs there. But he kept working hard. His first century came in 2012. It was against Australia in Adelaide. That was a big moment! His best series was in 2014-15. He scored 692 runs in Australia like a godfather of cricket.
Fans loved his twin centuries there. Kohli’s career statistics are great. He made 9230 runs in 123 Tests. His average was 46.85 overall. From 2016 to 2018, he was unstoppable. He averaged over 66 then. He hit 14 hundreds in that time. One top knock was 149 in the England tour 2018. He fought James Anderson bravely, and fans wonder what his tactics would have been against a legend, Glenn McGrath.
Another was 169 in Melbourne in 2014. He smashed Mitchell Johnson hard. Kohli also scored 235 in Mumbai in 2016. That was against tough spin. His innings inspired the team. Fans still talk about these games. Kohli loved playing in whites. He said it taught him a lot. His hard work paid off big since the time he did hard work in first class cricket for Delhi.
Memorable innings like these made him special. He wasn’t just about runs. He showed grit and skill. Young players learned from him. His Test career is full of highlights. Even now, people cheer his name. Kohli’s journey was long and exciting. It’s sad he’s leaving Tests. But his story lives on!
Kohli’s Captaincy: A Winning Legacy
Virat Kohli was a great captain. He led India in 68 Tests. He won 40 of them. That’s more than anyone in India! Captaincy record shows his success. He started leading in 2014. MS Dhoni stepped down then. Kohli took over in Australia. He changed how India played. The team became bold and strong.
They won big games overseas. His first win was in Sri Lanka. Then came victories in England, too. BCCI praised his leadership style. He made India fight hard. From 2016 to 2018, he shone. India won many matches then. Kohli’s energy lifted the team. He pushed players to be better. His record beats Dhoni’s 27 wins.
Sourav Ganguly had 21 wins. Kohli ranks fourth worldwide. Only Graeme Smith won more. Kohli’s aggression was key. He led India to two WTC finals. One was under his command. The Indian cricket team grew tougher. He inspired young stars like Rohit Sharma. Fans loved his passion, and he played against big teams, not easy teams like Zimbabwe or Ireland.
He never gave up easily. Even in tough losses, he fought. His last captaincy game was special. He left a mark on Tests. The legacy of his leadership is huge. Players still follow his ways. Kohli said captaincy was fun. It tested him every day. Now, he steps back after his mindblowing performances in knockout matches of CT 2025. But his wins stay forever. India’s Test future owes him lots!
Tough Times and Big Retirement Call
Virat Kohli faced hard times lately. His form dipped in Tests. In the last 24 months, he struggled. His average fell to 32.56. That’s low for him. His peak average was 55.10. That was after 254 not out in 2019. Recently, he scored 100 in Perth 2024.
It was his first century since 2023. Still, runs were hard to get. Retirement wasn’t easy for him. He loved Test cricket deeply. But he felt it was time. Kohli told the BCCI his plans. He decided before the England tour. The team wanted his experience. Yet, he chose to step away. He announced it on social media. Fans were shocked but understood. Kohli gave his all for 14 years.
His last few Tests were tough. He said it felt right to go. Career statistics show his highs and lows. From 2016 to 2018, he was great. Lately, not so much. Pressure was on him. Young players were rising. Shubman Gill might lead now. Kohli’s exit surprised Anil Kumble. He thought Kohli had more years.
But Kohli knew best. He walked away, grateful. Tests taught him big lessons. He’ll miss the long days. Fans will miss him, too. Indian cricket shifts now. His retirement ends a big era. It’s a bold move by Kohli. He leaves with pride!
What People Say and What’s Next?
Virat Kohli’s retirement got big reactions. BCCI president Roger Binny spoke up. He called Kohli a top cricketer. Binny loved his hunger for runs. He said Kohli changed India’s game. His leadership was special overseas. Fans agreed with Binny’s words. Anil Kumble was surprised. He thought Kohli could play more.
Cheteshwar Pujara praised him too. He said Tests were Kohli’s favourite. Everyone saw his hard work. The Indian cricket team feels the loss. Rohit Sharma retired earlier. Now Kohli’s gone from Tests. Shubman Gill might take over. He’s young and ready. The team is changing fast. Old stars like Ashwin are out. Only a few veterans stay. Jasprit Bumrah is one. KL Rahul is another.
The legacy of Kohli lives on. He inspired kids to play Tests. His 40 wins as captain stand tall. Fans wonder what’s next. Kohli will play ODIS still. The England tour will test the new team. Gill could lead them there. BCCI supports the shift. They trust the young players. Kohli’s impact won’t fade as fans have seen him in a retro version at CT 2025.
He made India proud. People will talk about him forever. His memorable innings are history now. The future looks exciting. New stars will rise up. Kohli’s retirement is big news. But it opens new doors. Indian cricket keeps moving!
Conclusion
Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket is huge. He played 14 amazing years. He scored 9230 runs in 123 Tests. His captaincy record is the best in India. He won 40 Tests as a leader. Fans loved his energy and fight. His memorable innings thrilled us all. From 119 in Johannesburg to 149 in England, he shone.
Lately, his form has been down. His average dropped to 32.56. Still, he leaves with pride. The Indian cricket team will miss him. Shubman Gill might lead next. BCCI and fans thank Kohli. He changed how India played Tests. His legacy is strong and bright. Young players will follow him. Kohli said Tests shaped his life. Now, he steps into a new chapter. We’ll cheer him in ODIS. His Test story ends happily. What a journey it was!
