India great Virat Kohli retires from test cricket
Virat Kohli, an iconic figure in Indian cricket, has announced his retirement from test cricket after a distinguished 14-year career spanning 123 matches. Kohli's debut in 2011 against the West Indies marked the beginning of his journey as India's leading batsman following Sachin Tendulkar's retirement in 2013. His retirement, shortly after Rohit Sharma's, signals a significant shift in India's cricket lineup, necessitating the selection of a new captain and a restructured batting order for the upcoming series in England. Kohli's impressive career includes 9,230 test runs, 30 centuries, and a record as India's most successful test captain with 40 wins. Despite stepping away from test cricket, Kohli's contributions to the sport and his influence on cricket in India and globally remain profound, with his legacy expected to endure.
Context:
Virat Kohli, an iconic figure in Indian cricket, has announced his retirement from test cricket after a distinguished 14-year career spanning 123 matches. Kohli's debut in 2011 against the West Indies marked the beginning of his journey as India's leading batsman following Sachin Tendulkar's retirement in 2013. His retirement, shortly after Rohit Sharma's, signals a significant shift in India's cricket lineup, necessitating the selection of a new captain and a restructured batting order for the upcoming series in England. Kohli's impressive career includes 9,230 test runs, 30 centuries, and a record as India's most successful test captain with 40 wins. Despite stepping away from test cricket, Kohli's contributions to the sport and his influence on cricket in India and globally remain profound, with his legacy expected to endure.
Dive Deeper:
Virat Kohli has retired from test cricket after a 14-year career, during which he played 123 matches and became one of India's most revered cricketers since Sachin Tendulkar's retirement.
Kohli's test career includes scoring 9,230 runs, achieving 30 centuries, and maintaining a batting average of 46.85, making him the fourth highest scorer for India in tests.
As India's test captain, Kohli led the team in 68 matches, securing 40 victories, the highest for any Indian captain, and guided India to the ICC's No. 1 ranking in test cricket.
Kohli's retirement follows closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma's departure from test cricket, prompting India to seek a new captain and reorganize its batting lineup for the upcoming England tour.
Even after his retirement from tests, Kohli continues to be a prominent figure in cricket, with significant involvement in One-Day Internationals and the Indian Premier League.
His test career is highlighted by leading India to its first series victory against Australia in Australia in 2018 and scoring the most double centuries for India in tests, surpassing Tendulkar.
Kohli's legacy is celebrated by the cricket community as he leaves behind a powerful impact on the sport, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India acknowledging his contributions and lasting influence.