Virat Kohli announces Test retirement ahead of India’s England tour

Kohli ends 14-year Test career after Rohit Sharma, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket. Photo by Ayush Kumar/SOPA Images

By Amanda Zahra and Hayu Andini

In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram account on Monday, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, just days before India's squad for the upcoming five-Test tour of England is due to be revealed. The announcement comes on the heels of Rohit Sharma's retirement from the red-ball format, marking the end of a significant chapter in Indian cricket.

“I've given it everything I had,” Kohli wrote to his 271 million Instagram followers, expressing gratitude for a format that tested and transformed him. “As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right.”

Kohli’s Test retirement concludes a storied career that began in 2011 and spanned 123 matches. He amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, scoring 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His highest Test score, a commanding 254 not out, epitomized his dominance during the peak of his form between 2011 and 2019, where he averaged close to 55.

Kohli walks away from Tests, but ODI future remains

While Kohli has stepped away from Test cricket, he is expected to continue representing India in the one-day international (ODI) format. He had already retired from T20 cricket following India’s triumph in the 2024 World Cup in Barbados, where he scored a match-winning innings in the final.

His departure from the longest format echoes the path taken by Rohit Sharma, who announced his Test retirement last week. Both players leave behind a remarkable legacy and towering influence on India’s red-ball cricket, especially during the last decade.

Kohli’s Test legacy: Leader, icon, and competitor

Virat Kohli’s contribution to Test cricket goes far beyond statistics. He was widely hailed for rejuvenating India’s pace attack and instilling an aggressive, winning mindset in a generation of cricketers. As India's Test captain, Kohli led the team in 68 matches, securing 40 wins and suffering only 17 defeats — the best record for any Indian Test captain to date.

“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,” Kohli said in his post. “I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”

Kohli’s last appearance in a Test came in January this year in Sydney, where India lost to Australia, concluding the five-match series 3-1. Despite scoring an unbeaten century in Perth during the first Test, Kohli's overall performance in the series — just 90 runs from eight innings — signaled that his red-ball form had waned.

Over the last two years, Kohli's Test average dipped to 32.56, a significant drop from his prime. Still, his competitive spirit and commitment to the game remained unquestioned.

Reaction from the cricketing world: “A man with lion’s passion”

Kohli’s announcement quickly went viral on social media, garnering over six million likes and hundreds of thousands of comments within an hour. Tributes poured in from fans, fellow cricketers, and coaches.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Kohli as "a man with lion’s passion," while former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar called him the “biggest brand of modern cricket who gave it all for the game’s oldest format.”

AB de Villiers, Kohli’s longtime teammate and friend from the Indian Premier League (IPL), described him as “a true legend” and added, “Your determination and skill have always inspired me.”

Former batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu perhaps summed it up most dramatically: “The greatest Indian cricketer of all time bids adieu to Test cricket.”

Kohli's place among the greats

Often dubbed "King Kohli," he stood tall among the elite "Fab Four" of modern Test cricket, alongside Australia’s Steve Smith, England’s Joe Root, and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson. This group of batting stalwarts redefined consistency and elegance in Test cricket over the past decade.

Kohli was especially known for his performances in overseas conditions — including landmark centuries in Australia, South Africa, and England — which silenced critics who once claimed he was a flat-track bully.

His 254 not out against South Africa in 2019 remains one of the highest scores by an Indian captain. Kohli’s aggressive on-field demeanor, unmatched fitness levels, and tireless pursuit of excellence raised the standards for professional cricketers in India and beyond.

The road ahead: England series beckons for a new-look India

With both Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Tests, Indian selectors face the challenge of naming a refreshed squad for the England tour beginning June 20 in Leeds. The five-Test series is expected to be a grueling examination for the next generation of Indian cricketers, especially in the absence of their two most experienced batters.

Several younger players, including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan, are being considered as potential successors in the batting lineup. Leadership options will also need to be finalized, with KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant reportedly in contention.

Despite his retirement, Kohli's influence will continue to be felt. His commitment to fitness, mental discipline, and all-format consistency has set a benchmark that emerging players will aspire to match.

Final farewell, but legacy endures

Kohli’s Test retirement may mark the end of a golden era, but his contributions to Indian cricket — particularly in Test matches — will remain timeless. In a cricketing culture that often prioritizes white-ball achievements, Kohli’s unwavering dedication to the red-ball game helped sustain its relevance.

He exits the Test stage not just as a record-holder, but as a fierce protector of the format’s integrity. And for a generation of cricket fans, Kohli’s Test career will forever be remembered as an era defined by passion, pride, and performance.