Virat Kohli’s decision to hang up his boots from the longest format of the game comes on the heels of Team India captain Rohit Sharma’s call to draw curtains on his Test career earlier this month.
In a move that marks the end of a glorious era in Indian cricket, star batter Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12 (Monday). The 36-year-old batting stalwart, who made his debut in 2011, leaves behind a legacy that redefined India's approach to the longest format. Kohli’s decision to hang up his boots from the longest format of the game comes on the heels of Team India captain Rohit Sharma’s call to draw curtains on his Test career.
Notably, both Kohli and Rohit had already stepped away from T20Is after India’s World Cup victory in Barbados in 2024. Now, the veteran duo is only active in the ODIs.
'Will Look Back At My Test Career With A Smile': Kohli
Taking to his official social media handle of Instagram, Virat Kohli, in an emotional message, reflected on how Test cricket tested his character, shaped his career and left him with lifelong lessons. He described playing in whites as a deeply personal experience filled with quiet struggles and cherished moments, and said the decision to step away wasn't easy but felt right. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the game, his teammates, and fans, Kohli said he will always look back on his Test career with pride and a smile.
"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. 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. 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,” Kohli wrote in the Instagram post.
Here's a look at Kohli's Test retirement social media post:
Posted by Aligarh News
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