In a stunning turn of events, batting legend Virat Kohli has declared his immediate retirement from Test cricket on Monday, mere days ahead of India’s squad announcement for their highly anticipated tour to England.
With an impressive tally of 9,230 runs from 123 matches and an average of 46.85, Kohli took to Instagram to announce his decision just five days after India captain Rohit Sharma bid farewell to his Test career.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2011, Kohli has amassed an impressive tally of 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a remarkable top score of 254 not out.
“It’s been 14 years since I donned the iconic baggy blue in Test cricket,” the 36-year-old Kohli shared with his massive following of 271 million on his official feed.
“Honestly, I never envisioned the path this format would lead me down.” This experience has pushed my limits, moulded my character, and imparted invaluable lessons that will stay with me forever.
As I transition from this format, the decision is a tough one, yet it resonates with a sense of correctness: ” poured my heart and soul into this, and in return, it has rewarded me beyond my wildest dreams.”
In a remarkable career, Kohli emerged as one of India’s most successful Test captains, boasting an impressive record of 40 victories against 17 losses over 68 matches before he decided to step down from the role in 2022.
Following closely behind, Mahendra Singh Dhoni boasts an impressive record of 27 out of 60 matches, while Sourav Ganguly stands at 21 wins from 49 outings.
“As I step away, my heart swells with gratitude — for the game itself, for the teammates who battled alongside me, and for every individual who made me feel acknowledged throughout this journey.”
“Reflecting on my Test career, I can’t help but smile.”
Kohli’s struggles in the game’s longer format could drive his decision to step away.
Once a powerhouse, boasting an impressive average nearing 55 from 2011 to 2019, the numbers have taken a significant hit, plummeting to 32.56 in the last two years.
Kohli’s most recent Test appearance came in Sydney this past January, where India faced a tough defeat, ultimately losing the match and the series 3-1 to Australia.
In a remarkable display during the second innings of the first Test in Perth, Kohli notched an unbeaten century. However, his performance throughout the five-Test series saw him accumulate only 90 runs across eight innings.
At 36, Kohli is a key figure in the illustrious “Fab Four” of batting legends who have ruled the Test cricket landscape for the last ten years, sharing the spotlight with Australia’s Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, and England’s Joe Root.
Known as “King Kohli,” he has been the cornerstone of India’s batting lineup in all three international formats. He capped off his Twenty20 career with a stellar performance, leading his team to a World Cup final triumph in Barbados last year.
Kohli decided to step back from the T20 format, joining Rohit in this significant move.
