In a heartfelt message shared today, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a 14-year-long journey in whites that saw him emerge as one of the most iconic figures in Indian cricket history.
Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, said the format had tested and shaped him in ways no other could. “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites… the quiet grind, the long days, the small moments no one sees,” he wrote.
Widely regarded as one of the fiercest competitors in the modern game, Kohli led India in 68 Test matches and remains India’s most successful Test captain, with a record 40 wins. Under his leadership, India rose to the top of the ICC Test rankings and famously won a Test series in Australia for the first time in 2018–19.
“As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right,” Kohli shared. “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’s retirement from Test cricket closes a defining chapter in Indian cricket, but fans can still expect to see him in white-ball formats. The legacy he leaves behind in Tests — as a batter, leader, and fierce advocate of the longest format — will be remembered for generations.
On Tuesday evening, Rohit Sharma stunned fans by announcing his retirement from Test cricket, shortly after reports surfaced suggesting he had been removed as India’s red-ball captain ahead of the upcoming England tour. In an emotional Instagram post, Rohit shared a photo of his Test cap (No. 280) and wrote, “It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format.”
