Virat Kohli Retires From Test Cricket: “Not Easy, But Feels Right”

Following days of speculation, Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket effective immediately in a heartfelt Instagram post. Following the announcement of India Test captain Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format of cricket, reports surfaced of Kohli expressing a similar intention to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), causing a stir throughout the cricketing community.

It was mentioned that the board is negotiating with Kohli to alter his decision, but it appears the result was not successful. In his post, Virat reflected on his debut 14 years back, when he donned the baggy blue for the first occasion in his career.

“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,” he wrote on social media.

Virat also said that the decision to call it quits wasn’t an easy one, but it felt ‘right’ to him. “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,” he concluded.

Kohli played for India in 123 Test matches, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, which includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with a top score of 254. Whether at home or on the road, Virat dominated with his bat, letting his runs convey the message. Nonetheless, he is likely to have one regret: not achieving the 10,000 run milestone in Test matches.

Kohli’s withdrawal from the longest format of the sport contributes to the departure of Indian senior players. Ravichandran Ashwin (in December) and Rohit Sharma (last week) have both retired, and now Virat has joined them as the third to do so. Discussions have taken place regarding the future of senior pacer Mohammed Shami in the Test team as well.