Virat Kohli bids adieu to Test Cricket: A glorious chapter ends
New Delhi : Indian cricket witnessed the end of an era as Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, concluding a remarkable 14-year journey in whites. With 123 matches, 9230 runs at an average of 46.85, and a legacy as India’s most successful Test captain, Kohli leaves behind a legacy few can rival.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 in the West Indies. Though his start was modest, scoring only 76 runs across five innings, it didn’t take long for the world to recognize his potential. His first Test century in Adelaide during a tough 2011-12 tour of Australia was a glimpse of the grit and flair that would define his career.
The 2014-15 tour of Australia was a turning point. Kohli not only scored 692 runs across four Tests but also took over captaincy from MS Dhoni, marking the start of a golden era. Under his leadership, India played an aggressive, fearless brand of cricket, winning 40 out of 68 Tests — more than any other Indian captain.
His 2018 tour of England remains one of his finest personal feats, where he scored 583 runs at an average of 59.30, silencing critics who had doubted his ability in English conditions. Between 2016 and 2019, Kohli was at his zenith, averaging over 65 and scoring 14 centuries in just three years.
In his farewell note, Kohli reflected emotionally on the journey: “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but stay with you forever.” He expressed gratitude for what Test cricket had taught him and all that it had given back.
Although his form dipped in recent years, with only two centuries in the past 24 months, Kohli's impact remained undeniable. Despite speculation, selectors were keen to have his experience for the upcoming England tour. However, Kohli had already made his decision, reportedly informing the BCCI weeks earlier.
Kohli’s departure follows a broader transition in Indian Test cricket. Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin have also stepped away from the format, and veterans like Pujara, Rahane, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav are currently out of the reckoning. The mantle now passes to a younger core led potentially by Shubman Gill.
Virat Kohli wasn’t just a batsman — he was a force. His passion, aggression, and commitment reshaped India’s approach to Test cricket. As he steps away, he does so with the respect of fans and peers alike, his name etched forever in the annals of Indian cricketing greatness.
