India’s star batsman Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, ending speculations about his future in the longer format of the game. He will now play only in ODIs. With his retirement, the exit of Indian veteran players from the Test format continues. Ravichandran Ashwin (in December) and Rohit Sharma (last week) have also retired from this format. 36-year-old Virat Kohli was last seen playing in Test cricket in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the Australian tour. Where India had to face defeat by 1-3 in the 5-match series.
Had already retired from T20 International
Kohli did score a century in the first match of the series, but after that he was seen struggling. Kohli’s decision to retire has come at a time when the selectors were going to select the team for the 5-Test series to be held in England next month in a few days. Let us tell you that Kohli retired from T20 International last year. Virat Kohli’s Test debut was in June 2011 against West Indies in Kingston. Kohli then scored 4 runs in the first innings and 15 runs in the second innings. His last Test was against Australia in Sydney, which was played in January 2025. In this last Test, Kohli scored 17 runs in the first innings and 6 runs in the second innings.
King Kohli announced retirement on Instagram post
King Kohli has played 123 Test matches. During this, he scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. Kohli has scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in Tests. Virat Kohli announced his retirement on his Instagram post. He said, ‘It has been 14 years since I wore the blue jersey for the first time in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined what journey this format would take me on. It tested me, shaped me and taught me lessons that I will carry with me for life. Playing in white is a very personal experience. The quiet hard work, the long days, the little moments that no one sees but stay with you forever.
Kohli further said, ‘When I am walking away from this format, it is not easy but it feels right. I have given my all in it and it has given me more than I expected. I am leaving with a heart full of gratitude for the game, for the people playing on the field and for everyone who has taken me along this journey. I will always look back at my Test career with a smile.