India’s former Test captain Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a 14-year journey in the format that transformed him into one of the game’s modern legends.
The 36-year-old made the announcement through an emotional Instagram post on Monday, May 12, 2025, signing off with the hashtag “#269” – his Test cap number – just weeks before India’s five-match Test series in England.
The Final Call
“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,” Kohli wrote in his farewell post.
The announcement followed reports suggesting Kohli had been in discussions with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials about his future in Test cricket for over a month. According to sources, Kohli informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar of his decision in April.
Statistical Legacy
Kohli’s Test career statistics tell a remarkable story:
- 123 Tests spanning 14 years (2011-2025)
- 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85
- 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries
- Seven double hundreds – most by an Indian batsman
- 254 not out – his career-best score against South Africa
As captain, Kohli led India in 68 Tests, securing 40 victories – making him India’s most successful Test skipper ahead of MS Dhoni (27 wins) and Sourav Ganguly (21 wins). His win percentage of 58.82% reflected his aggressive approach to leadership.
The Performance Curve
Kohli’s Test career can be divided into two distinct phases:
Golden Period (2016-2019)
Between 2016 and 2019, Kohli dominated Test cricket:
- Averaged 66.59 with 14 hundreds in 58 innings
- Scored 1,322 runs in 2018 – his most productive year
- Averaged over 68 in 2019, his peak year
Decline Phase (Post-2020)
After COVID-19, the numbers tell a different story:
- Averaged just 32.56 over the last 24 months
- Scored only three centuries in 66 innings post-2020
- His last century before Perth 2024 came against West Indies in July 2023
England Memories
England provided both Kohli’s lowest and highest Test moments. In 2014, he managed just 134 runs in 10 innings with a highest score of 39. Four years later, he returned transformed, scoring 583 runs at 59.30 with two centuries, marking his redemption on English soil.
BCCI’s Response
The BCCI acknowledged Kohli’s announcement with a tribute on social media: “Thank you, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket but the legacy will continue FOREVER! @imVkohli, the former Team India Captain retires from Test cricket. His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished!”
Sources indicate the board had urged Kohli to reconsider his decision, particularly given the upcoming England tour. “He’s still incredibly fit and hungry. His presence in the dressing room lifts the entire team,” a senior BCCI official said. “We’ve requested him to take some time before making a final call.”
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The Transition Period
Kohli’s retirement follows closely after captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to step away from Tests and Ravichandran Ashwin’s international retirement during the Australia tour. This triple departure signals a significant transition for Indian Test cricket.
With both senior batsmen unavailable for the England series starting June 20, India faces a major rebuilding challenge. Shubman Gill might emerge as the frontrunner for captaincy, but KL Rahul and Jasprit Bhumrah also remain as a potential contenders, while the middle-order issue still has to be solved, players like Rishabh Pant or Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja.
The remaining senior players form the backbone of India’s Test setup. Ravindra Jadeja continues as India’s premier all-rounder, having been instrumental in overseas victories and bringing valuable experience to English conditions where he scored a century during India’s last tour. KL Rahul, despite recent form concerns, remains a key senior batsman who has performed well in England before and is expected to potentially open the batting alongside Jaiswal.
Rishabh Pant, India’s X-factor keeper-batsman, brings crucial experience in SENA countries and remains the first-choice wicketkeeper despite his IPL form. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack and is also being considered for captaincy, though workload management could see him miss some Tests. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who missed the Australia tour due to injury, is fit again and expected to partner Bumrah in seaming English conditions.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy Finale
Kohli’s final Test series – the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia – epitomized his recent struggles. Despite a magnificent century in Perth (his first in 16 months), he managed only 193 runs across five Tests, averaging 23.75. His repeated dismissals outside off-stump highlighted technical issues that had plagued him in recent years.
Beyond the Numbers
Under Kohli’s captaincy, India achieved historic overseas victories, including the 2018-19 series win in Australia – their first ever. He instilled a fitness culture and winning mentality that made India competitive across all conditions.
His emphasis on pace bowling revolutionized Indian cricket. The development of a formidable pace attack under his leadership marked a departure from India’s traditional reliance on spin bowling.
Future Focus
While stepping away from Tests, Kohli continues in ODI cricket. Both he and Rohit remain available for the 50-over format, having retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup victory last year. Reports suggest Kohli may target the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Long-term Impact
Kohli’s retirement represents more than the end of a career – it marks the conclusion of an era that redefined Indian Test cricket. His legacy includes:
- Making Test cricket “aspirational” for young fans
- Setting new fitness standards in Indian cricket
- Leading India’s first overseas Test series win in Australia in 71 years
- Developing a potent pace attack capable of taking 20 wickets anywhere
The Road Ahead
For Indian cricket, Kohli’s departure necessitates a strategic recalibration. The immediate challenge involves:
- Leadership Development: Grooming Shubman Gill or other candidates for long-term captaincy
- Batting Depth: Integrating young talent in the middle order
- Experience Management: Balancing youth with remaining veterans like KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja
- Succession Planning: Ensuring smooth transition without compromising performance
Chase Master’s Absence
Virat Kohli’s Test retirement closes a chapter that began with promise in Kingston in 2011 and culminates with a body of work that places him among cricket’s greats. While his later years showed diminishing returns, his peak period redefined what Indian Test cricket could achieve.
As cricket transitions to a new generation, Kohli’s influence will endure through the players he mentored, the standards he set, and the victories he delivered. His decision to step away while still active in other formats ensures his experience remains available to Indian cricket, albeit in a different capacity.
The timing of his retirement – missing out on a potential England farewell series – may seem abrupt to fans, but reflects a mature understanding of when to step aside. In recognizing that “it feels right,” Kohli demonstrates the self-awareness that characterized his leadership.
For Indian Test cricket, the challenge now lies in building upon Kohli’s foundation while developing new leaders capable of carrying forward his aggressive, fitness-focused approach to the game’s longest format. The upcoming England series will be the first test of this new era, one that begins without two of India’s most successful Test batsmen but with the opportunity to establish a fresh identity.
As Kohli wrote in his farewell message, he walks away “with a heart full of gratitude.” Indian cricket, in turn, can be grateful for a player who not only achieved individual excellence but lifted the entire team’s standards and expectations. While #269 has signed off from Test cricket, the legacy continues – both in the records books and in the mindset of a team transformed by his vision and determination.
