Virat Kohli Announces Retirement From Test Cricket

Virat Kohli has officially called time on his Test career at the age of 36, concluding a phenomenal 14-year chapter that transformed the landscape of Indian cricket. His journey is etched in history, not just through staggering numbers but through an enduring legacy of leadership and resilience.

In 123 Tests, Kohli accumulated 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. While his statistics speak volumes, it was his influence on the team’s mindset and performance that truly elevated Indian cricket.

Kohli ended his World Test Championship (WTC) journey as the 12th highest run-getter, scoring 2,617 runs across 47 matches.

His illustrious career featured numerous record-breaking moments — he was the top Indian scorer in a calendar year on five separate occasions: 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2023.

Kohli stands alone as the only Indian batter to notch seven Test centuries on Australian soil, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

One of his most iconic feats came during the 2014-15 tour of Australia, where he became the first Indian to register four centuries in a single overseas Test series. He followed it up with a historic 2016-17 home season, tallying a record 1,059 runs — the highest ever by an Indian in a single season.

Kohli also achieved the highest-ever rating points (937) by an Indian in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings in 2018.

From a humble Test debut in 2011 to becoming one of cricket’s modern greats, Kohli’s career was fuelled by intensity, determination, and a fierce commitment to excellence. His unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019 remains a hallmark of his dominance and composure at the crease.

As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, clinching 40 victories — the fourth-most by any captain in Test history. Under his stewardship, India reached their first World Test Championship final and scripted landmark series wins, including the historic 2018-19 triumph in Australia.

Yet, not all milestones fell within his grasp.

Kohli retires without a Test century in Bangladesh — the lone nation where he didn’t reach three figures — and without a series win in South Africa and England.

He narrowly missed the 10,000-run milestone, finishing 770 runs short, and fell just 99 runs behind Rohit Sharma as India’s leading scorer in the WTC, with Rohit having also recently ended his Test career.

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