Indian cricket has suffered two major blows within a week. After Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli has now announced his retirement from Test cricket. On Monday, Kohli shared the news through an Instagram post. For the past few days, there were media reports suggesting that Kohli had informed the BCCI about his decision to retire.
However, the BCCI had reportedly asked him to reconsider his decision in light of the upcoming Test series against England. Despite that, Kohli went ahead and confirmed his retirement from Test cricket. This is a big loss for Indian cricket, as Rohit Sharma, the regular captain, also announced his retirement from Tests on Wednesday (7 May). The retirement of these two legendary players within a week has left fans in shock. This marks the end of an era in Indian Test cricket. India is scheduled to tour England next month, where they will play a five-match Test series.
What Did Virat Kohli Write in His Post?
In his Instagram post, Kohli wrote:
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue jersey in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined this format would take me on such a journey. It tested me, gave me identity, and taught me life lessons I will carry forever. Playing in whites has been a very special and personal experience for me. The hard work, long days, and those small moments that no one sees but always stay with you. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy, but it feels right at this time. I’ve given my everything to it, and it has given me much more than I could have ever expected. I’m grateful to the game, my teammates, and every individual who supported me in this journey. I will always look back at my Test career with a smile.”
He ended his post with his jersey number “269” and wrote “Signing off.”
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Kohli Will Now Only Play ODIs
Virat Kohli will now be seen only in One Day Internationals. He had already retired from T20 Internationals after India won the T20 World Cup last year. Kohli played a total of 123 Test matches and scored 9,230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85. He hit 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in Tests, along with 1,027 fours and 30 sixes.
In T20 Internationals, he scored 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.7 and a strike rate of 137.05, including one century and 38 fifties. In ODIs, Kohli has played 302 matches, scoring 14,181 runs at an average of 57.88 and a strike rate of 93.35. He has registered 51 centuries and 74 half-centuries in the format.
Kohli Has Captained in All Three Formats
Virat Kohli has led Team India in all three formats. He first captained the side in 2014 during the Australia tour after MS Dhoni’s retirement. He remained India’s Test captain until the 2022 tour of South Africa. In 2021, he was removed as captain of the ODI and T20I sides. Kohli made his Test debut on 20 June 2011 against the West Indies at Sabina Park. His final Test was earlier this year against Australia in Sydney.
Kohli’s Recent Poor Form in Tests
Kohli’s form had dipped significantly in the last two Test series, both of which ended in embarrassing defeats for Team India. Last year, New Zealand defeated India 3-0 in a three-match Test series at home. Kohli scored only 93 runs in six innings at an average of 15.50 during that series. On the Australia tour, Kohli managed 190 runs in nine innings, including a single century in the first Test at Perth. However, in the following eight innings, he scored just 90 runs. He was dismissed eight times, seven of which were while poking at deliveries outside the off stump.