Advertisement
Advertisement
India’s batting legend Virat Kohli has called time on his Test career, announcing his retirement from the longest format with immediate effect on Monday.
The star batter, who had earlier stepped away from T20Is after India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 title, announced his decision through an Instagram post.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life,” Virat Kohli posted.
“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.
View this post on Instagram
“As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.
“I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude — for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way.
“I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off.”
Virat Kohli has represented India in 123 Test matches since his debut in 2011 against the West Indies. Throughout his remarkable 14-year career, he has scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
The 37-year-old batter has also captained India in 68 Test matches, winning 40 and losing only 17.
With these 40 victories, Kohli ranks as India’s most successful Test captain of all time. Following him in this list are Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won 27 out of 60 matches, and Sourav Ganguly, with 21 wins from 49 matches.
Additionally, Virat Kohli is fourth on the overall list of captains with the most Test wins, standing behind South Africa’s Graeme Smith (53 wins from 109 matches), Australia’s Ricky Ponting (48 wins from 77 matches), and Australia’s Steve Waugh (41 wins from 57 matches).
READ: Barcelona edge Real Madrid in thriller to move to brink of La Liga title
