Virat Kohli's Test Retirement: A Year Since the Announcement
A Year Since Kohli's Retirement Announcement
On May 12, 2025, just two days after India and Pakistan declared a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor, the nation was still grappling with the aftermath of recent events. That morning, cricket enthusiasts were taken aback when Virat Kohli made a shocking announcement that shifted the news landscape. With India preparing to unveil their Test squad for the upcoming tour of England, Kohli, who was expected to play a pivotal role following Rohit Sharma's retirement, revealed his decision to retire from Test cricket.
Ending months of speculation regarding his future in the longest format, the former Indian captain took to Instagram to share his news. He accompanied his message with Frank Sinatra's 'My Way'. Kohli expressed, "It’s been 14 years since I first donned the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. 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. I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269 signing off,"
His post has since garnered over 20 million likes.
Unfinished Business: Mission 10,000
While Kohli's future in Test cricket had been a topic of debate due to a series of poor performances, his legacy in the format made his retirement a significant moment in cricket, leaving many fans disheartened. Many believed that the star batter had more milestones to achieve. Kohli concluded his Test career as India's fourth-highest run-scorer, amassing 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.9, including 30 centuries. He retired just 770 runs shy of the historic 10,000-run mark, which would have placed him among an elite group of cricketers. His final Test match was during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Sydney, while his last first-class game was a Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Kohli's Continued Success in ODI Cricket
After retiring from T20 internationals following the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kohli remained active in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite questions about his longevity in the 50-over format, the 37-year-old has silenced critics and even reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking for a period. Since his Test retirement, Kohli has participated in 9 ODIs, scoring 616 runs at an impressive average of 88 and a strike rate of 106.39, including three centuries and three half-centuries. He is set to compete in the 2027 World Cup next year and will return to play for the national team in June after a six-month hiatus, when India hosts Afghanistan for a three-match series.