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One of the greatest performers in modern cricket, Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket has left fans both emotional and reflective. As of May 2025, it is now official: the 36-year-old Indian batting legend has retired from the longest format of the game to focus more on his personal life, limited-overs cricket, and to maintain a healthier work-life balance.
Kohli made his Test debut against West Indies in 2011, and over the next 14 years, he redefined consistency, passion, and aggression at the highest level. By the time of his retirement, Kohli had played 123 Test matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.9, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His highest score remained the brilliant 254 against South Africa in 2019*.
His golden phase between 2016 to 2019 saw him average over 60, especially as captain, leading India to iconic overseas series wins, including historic triumphs in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21). Under his captaincy from 2014 to 2022, India won 40 out of 68 Tests, with a record 15 consecutive home series wins.
Kohli's Test innings, such as the gritty 149 at Birmingham (2018) and the fighting 123 at Perth (2018), remain etched in cricketing folklore. Beyond numbers, it was his attitude and commitment that reshaped India's identity as a competitive Test nation.
| Virat Kohli - Test Career Batting Stats (2011–2025) | |||||||||||
| Match | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| 123 | 210 | 13 | 9230 | 254* | 46.9 | 16608 | 55.6 | 30 | 31 | 1027 | 30 |
| Virat Kohli - Test Career Bowling Stats (2011–2025) | |||||||||||
| M | Inn | B | Mdn | R | Wkts | BB | Econ | Avg | SR | 4W | 5W |
| 123 | 11 | 175 | 2 | 84 | 0 | 0/0 | 2.88 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
Kohli's decision did not come as a complete surprise to those closely following Indian cricket. Several reasons may have contributed:
After 14 demanding years at the top, the grind of Test cricket had begun to show. Between 2020 and 2023, Kohli averaged only 28.64, enduring a lean patch of 1,020 days without a century. Though he eventually found his rhythm again, the physical toll of the longest format seemed harder to bear.
Since becoming a father in 2021, Kohli has consistently expressed the importance of spending time with his wife Anushka Sharma and their two children. Retiring from Tests offers him more time at home and a balanced personal life.
With emerging talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal thriving in Test cricket, Kohli may have felt the time was right to step aside and allow the next generation to take charge.
Kohli remains a key player in ODIs and T20Is, especially with India's eyes set on the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2027 ODI World Cup. His presence is invaluable for both performance and mentorship in white-ball formats.
Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket marks the end of an era. While the decision may be bittersweet for fans, it is also a mature step towards managing his longevity and personal well-being. His contributions to Indian Test cricket - both as a batsman and a leader - are second only to legends like Sachin Tendulkar.
Whether in the whites or in colored jerseys, Kohli's passion remains unchanged. His Test legacy will continue to inspire generations, and his next chapter in cricket promises to be just as impactful - only in a different format.
