Fourteen years. One format. Countless moments. And now… a curtain call. On a quiet Monday morning, Virat Kohli, India’s batting giant and arguably one of the most influential Test cricketers of his generation, announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. His departure, though not unexpected, feels like the closing of a golden chapter in Indian cricket.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket… I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.”
— Virat Kohli, in his heartfelt farewell note
A Journey Etched in Grit and Glory
Kohli’s Test journey began in 2011 in the Caribbean, with a modest start – 76 runs across five innings. Yet, by the time the whites came off for good in 2025, he had amassed 9230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85.
His defining moment came early, in the cauldron of Australian conditions. The 2014–15 tour saw Kohli produce a masterclass: 692 runs in four Tests, four centuries, and a statement to the cricketing world that here was a man made for red-ball greatness.
The Captain Who Refused to Back Down
Kohli’s Test captaincy began under turbulent skies. With MS Dhoni stepping down mid-series in 2014, Kohli took over – and redefined what leadership meant in Indian cricket.
Under him, India not only dominated at home but dared to dream overseas. His captaincy record?
68 Tests
40 Wins – the most by an Indian captain
Victories in Australia, England, and a World No. 1 Test ranking that lasted 42 months
Only legends like Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh boast more Test wins as skippers.
The Golden Run: 2016–2018
During this period, Kohli didn’t just bat – he orchestrated symphonies with the willow.
📈 2016 – Avg: 75.93
📈 2017 – Avg: 75.64
📈 2018 – Avg: 55.08
📈 2019 – Avg: 68.00
He scored 3596 runs in just 35 Tests across three years. Fourteen centuries. Eight fifties. An average of 66.59. He was untouchable.
The tour to England in 2018 silenced doubters once and for all. From the trauma of 134 runs in 10 innings in 2014, he returned to slam 583 runs at 59.30. Redemption never looked so elegant.
The Twilight
Every great story has its final chapters. For Kohli, the past two years were quieter. His average dipped to 32.56 since 2023. Though he managed a century in Perth in late 2024, it was clear the fire was now flickering.
Despite being in BCCI’s A+ central contract list and being considered for the upcoming England series, Kohli made his call. He’d had his say. His innings was complete.
Interestingly, his decision follows the recent retirement of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, with Shubman Gill reportedly next in line to take charge. R Ashwin, too, stepped away from international duties last year. The guard is truly changing.
Beyond Numbers
To reduce Kohli’s Test legacy to just stats would be an injustice. He brought intensity, passion, and unmatched fitness standards. He made it cool to love Test cricket again in a world obsessed with T20s. And he led by example – never backing down, never shying from challenges, especially on foreign soil.
He made kids want to wear whites.
A Salute from the Top
“What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs, but his commitment to excellence… He inspired a generation to take pride in the whites.”
— Roger Binny, BCCI President
What’s Next?
With T20Is already in the rearview mirror post India’s 2024 World Cup win, Kohli now steps into the twilight of his international career with ODIs as his only remaining commitment.
But his impact? That’s eternal.
As Kohli said in his farewell:
“I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude… I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”
So will we, Virat.
So will we.
