Bhubaneswar: Putting all speculation to rest, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Sunday.
Sharing the news on his Instagram account, Kohli wrote: “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.”
“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,” Kohli wrote.
“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,” he added.
The announcement came ahead of Team India’s two-month tour of England to play five Test matches, which will kick off the two teams’ campaign in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, beginning June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
The Indian Express had earlier reported that the former captain has told the BCCI that he wishes to bow out of Test cricket, but top officials have requested him to reconsider the decision. However, a report in The Dainik Jagran, claimed that Kohli was instead told bluntly by the decision-makers that he does not warrant a place in India’s Test team anymore due to his poor form.
There has been talk of Kohli contemplating his Test future since the five-Test series for the Border Gavaskar Trophy which concluded in Australia in January. Despite scoring an unbeaten 100 in the opening Test, Kohli struggled for the remainder of the series, managing just 190 runs at an average of 23.75 – well below his expected standard.
