Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket, sending shockwaves through the cricketing world. The 36-year-old’s decision comes just one month before India’s scheduled tour of England, leaving fans and analysts stunned.
Kohli amassed an impressive 9,230 runs in 111 Test matches at an average of 46.8. He currently ranks fourth on India’s all-time Test run-scorers list, behind only Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Rahul Dravid (13,265), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122).
In an emotional message shared on social media, Kohli reflected on his journey: “It was 14 years ago when I first wore the whites for India in Test cricket. I never imagined where this format would take me. It tested me, refined me, and taught me life lessons that will stay with me forever.”
“I’m saying goodbye to this format – it’s not easy, but it feels right,” he continued. “I gave Test cricket all my energy, and in return, the game gave me so much back.”
This announcement follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s recent Test retirement, raising significant questions about the future of India’s Test batting lineup.
Kohli not only distinguished himself as a batsman but also transformed Indian Test cricket as an aggressive captain. Under his leadership, India secured a historic Test series victory in Australia and maintained the top position in Test rankings for an extended period.
