End of an Era: Kohli Retires from Test Cricket

Ending days of speculation, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. The confirmation came through a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday, shortly after India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma also declared his retirement from the longest format. 

Earlier reports suggested Kohli had conveyed his intentions to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), initiating widespread reaction across the cricketing community. Although the board reportedly attempted to persuade him to reconsider, those discussions did not alter the outcome.

Reflecting on his journey, Kohli shared an emotional message on social media. “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.

The 35-year-old acknowledged that stepping away from Test cricket was a difficult decision, but one that felt appropriate at this stage of his career. 

“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.”

Kohli concluded the post with a note of contentment, writing: “I'LL ALWAYS LOOK BACK AT MY TEST CAREER WITH A SMILE. '#269, signing off'.”

Kohli’s Test career spanned 123 matches, during which he accumulated 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His record includes 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a personal best score of 254. 

He remained a dominant presence with the bat, both in home conditions and on overseas tours. Despite an illustrious run, Kohli steps away just short of the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket, a mark he may regret not reaching.

His departure marks the latest in a series of exits by senior Indian players from the Test arena. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retired from the format in December, followed by Rohit Sharma last week.

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