Virat Kohli confirms Test retirement, won't play India vs England series - 'I'll look back at my career with a smile'
Context:
Virat Kohli, one of India's most prominent cricketers, has announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of a remarkable 14-year career in the format. His decision comes just before India's tour of England, where he will not participate in the five-match series. Kohli's Test career, which began in 2011, saw him score 9,230 runs with an average of 46.85, making him one of the leading Indian batsmen behind legends like Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar. Despite a decline in form post-2020, Kohli's overall impact on Test cricket remains significant, ranking him among the top players of his era. As captain, he led India to 40 Test victories out of 68 matches, establishing himself as the country's most successful Test captain to date.
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Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket via an emotional Instagram post, reflecting on how the format shaped his life over a 14-year career and stating that he is stepping away with gratitude and contentment.
Kohli's Test career statistics are impressive, with 9,230 runs scored in 210 innings and an average of 46.85, ranking him among India's top batsmen alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
During the peak years between 2010 and 2019, Kohli was one of the most impactful Test batsmen globally, being the third-highest run-scorer worldwide, but his performance saw a decline post-2020 with a reduced average and fewer centuries.
In addition to his prowess as a batsman, Kohli excelled as a leader, taking over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 and leading India to 40 wins out of 68 matches, making him the most successful Indian Test captain.
Under Kohli's captaincy, he amassed over 5,800 runs and scored 20 centuries, further solidifying his influence and contribution to Indian Test cricket, both as a batsman and a leader.
Kohli's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as he leaves behind a legacy of passion, skill, and leadership that has inspired fans and teammates alike.
The announcement of his retirement was met with reactions from cricket legends and teammates, highlighting the respect and admiration Kohli has earned throughout his illustrious career.
One of India’s biggest names in cricket, Virat Kohli, has officially retired from Test matches.
He made the announcement just before India’s upcoming tour of England, meaning he won’t be part of that five-match series in June.
MORE: Virat Kohli Test retirement: How cricket legends and India teammates reacted
It’s the end of a long chapter that began in 2011. Kohli, now 36, played 123 Tests and left behind a record very few can match. He also shared a message online where he reflected on his journey and said he’s walking away with a smile.
How did Virat Kohli announce Test retirement?
Kohli shared his thoughts through an Instagram post. He wrote about how much Test cricket meant to him and how it helped shape his life. It’s been a 14-year ride in the whites for him. In his words, it tested him and taught him things no other format could.He ended his post with the line “#269, signing off”. It was simple, emotional and gave fans a moment to take in the news.
How good was Virat Kohli in Test cricket?
Kohli’s stats speak for themselves. Over his Test career, he made 9230 runs in 210 innings, putting him behind only Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar among Indian batters. His average was 46.85, and he hit 27 centuries along the way.Between 2010 and 2019, no Indian batter came close to his impact in Tests. He was even the third-highest run-scorer worldwide during that time.
But after 2020, things didn’t go his way. He scored 2028 runs in 68 innings with a drop in form and fewer centuries. His average since then was only around 30, far from what fans were used to seeing.
What about Virat Kohli's record as Test captain?
Kohli didn’t just shine as a batter, he led from the front too. He took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 and became India’s most successful Test skipper. Under his leadership, India won 40 Tests out of 68, a record for the country.Only three captains worldwide have won more- Smith, Ponting, and Waugh. Kohli also scored heavily while leading the team, collecting over 5800 runs as captain, with 20 centuries during that time.