MUMBAI (Diya TV) — Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, drawing the curtain on a remarkable 14-year journey that transformed Indian cricket’s identity in the game’s longest format.
Kohli shared the news via Instagram, reflecting on a career that began in 2011 against the West Indies and culminated in 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 fifties. “There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites,” he wrote. “The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever… I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.”
The 35-year-old, affectionately known as “King Kohli,” not only stood out as a prolific batter but also as a fiercely competitive and trailblazing captain. Under his leadership, India achieved historic overseas wins and developed a reputation for aggressive, never-back-down cricket. Kohli’s 40 victories as captain make him the most successful Indian Test skipper and the fourth most successful globally, behind Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh.
Beyond statistics, Kohli redefined how Indian teams approached Test cricket. He brought fitness, pride, and discipline to the forefront, demanding high standards from himself and his teammates. His record seven double centuries in Tests is the most by an Indian, and his 20 centuries as captain are also an all-time Indian best.
Tributes from the cricketing world poured in following the announcement. Roger Binny, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said Kohli would be remembered “not just for his hunger for runs, but for his commitment to excellence in the toughest format of the game.”
Tennis great Novak Djokovic, a close friend of Kohli, wrote on Instagram, “Incredible innings!” while Indian teammate Shubman Gill praised Kohli’s influence, saying, “You’ve reshaped the mindset of millions… I hope our generation can carry forward that same fire and commitment.”
Kohli’s longtime teammate KL Rahul called playing with him a “privilege,” noting that it was his “passion, discipline, and love for the game” that left a lasting impression. “I’ll miss the arm around the shoulder, slip banter, and long dinner chats,” Rahul wrote on social media.
Even cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar weighed in with a heartfelt note, recalling Kohli’s gesture during his retirement. “You offered to gift me a thread from your late father. It was too personal for me to accept, but the gesture has stayed with me,” Tendulkar said. “You’ve given Indian cricket a new generation of passionate fans and players.”
Kohli’s retirement comes on the heels of Rohit Sharma also stepping away from the format, signaling a generational shift in Indian cricket. While no successor has been officially named, Shubman Gill is widely considered a frontrunner for the Test captaincy.
Social media was flooded with tributes from franchises and former players. Kohli’s IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, posted a broken heart emoji alongside “Test cricket will never be the same again.” Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, and the Mumbai Cricket Association also lauded his contributions. Irfan Pathan credited him with changing mindsets, saying, “You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard.”
