Image: Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket after a remarkable and emotional journey / © India Today
After the sudden retirement of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket on May 7, Virat Kohli also bid farewell to the format on May 12, ending a glorious 14-year Test career. Kohli, 36, played 123 Test matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. He holds the Indian record for most double centuries in Tests with seven, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s six.
Kohli’s leadership was equally historic. As India’s most successful Test captain, he won 40 out of 68 Tests, leading the team to the No. 1 ICC Test ranking for nearly five years. His most notable achievement was guiding India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018.
Reacting emotionally on social media, his wife Anushka Sharma praised his passion, resilience, and silent sacrifices, calling his journey inspirational. Kohli shared his gratitude via Instagram, reflecting on the lessons and pride Test cricket gave him. He officially signed off with “#269”, marking his cap number.