Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket on the morning of May 12, 2025, via a social media post.
Virat Kohli Retirement 2025: One of Indian cricket's brightest stars, Virat Kohli, has bid farewell to Test cricket. This decision has not only moved his fans but has also created a significant void in the world of cricket. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement, this move by Kohli could prove to be a watershed moment for the Indian Test team.
The End of a Memorable 14-Year Journey
On Monday, May 12, 2025, at 11:43 AM, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket through an emotional post on his official social media account. Sharing a picture of himself in the baggy blue Test jersey, he wrote, “It's been 14 years since I first donned the baggy blue Test jersey. This format took me on a journey I never imagined.”
Kohli also stated in his post, "I have given it my all, and it has given back far more than I ever expected. Playing in the whites was a profound, personal experience; quiet battles, relentless hard work, and those small moments that may go unnoticed but will forever remain in my heart."
From Debut to Farewell
Virat Kohli made his Test debut on June 20, 2011, against the West Indies. In that match, he scored 4 runs in the first innings and 15 in the second. His final Test innings was against Australia in January 2025, the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In that match, Kohli scored 17 and 6 runs.
In his 14-year Test career, Virat Kohli played 123 Test matches, scoring a total of 9230 runs in 210 innings. His highest score is 254*, achieved against South Africa. Kohli has scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in Test cricket, making him one of the most successful batsmen of the modern era.
Kohli's Captaincy Excellence
Virat Kohli will be remembered not only as a batsman but also as an inspirational captain. He led India to the number 1 spot in the Test rankings and became the first Indian captain to win a historic Test series in Australia. He gave Team India a new identity with aggression, passion, and discipline.
According to BCCI sources, the board is surprised by Virat Kohli's decision and is trying to persuade him to reconsider. It is believed that a senior player will be sent to speak to Kohli to urge him to reconsider his decision. However, considering the emotion conveyed in Kohli's post, it seems he has made up his mind.
