Is This the End of the Road for Virat Kohli in Test Cricket?

New Delhi, May 12 (NationPress) Indian cricket icon and former captain Virat Kohli has officially declared his retirement from Test cricket.

This significant decision follows reports that Kohli had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prior to the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

"It’s been an incredible 14 years since I first donned the baggy blue in Test matches. Honestly, I never envisioned the journey this format would take me on. It’s challenged me, molded me, and imparted lessons that I’ll cherish for life," Kohli expressed in an Instagram post.

"There’s something profoundly personal about competing in whites. The subtle grind, the lengthy days, the fleeting moments that often go unnoticed but linger with you eternally. As I step away from this format, it’s a tough decision — yet it feels right. I’ve poured my heart into it, and it has returned so much more than I could have anticipated.

"I’m departing with a heart filled with gratitude — for the game, for the teammates I shared the field with, and for every individual who made me feel appreciated throughout this journey. I will always reflect on my Test career with joy. #269, signing off," he added.

In a matter of days, both Kohli and Rohit Sharma have exited the longest format of the game, leaving the Indian team with less experience in the batting lineup.

Kohli, who debuted in Test cricket in 2011, has been a pivotal figure in India's red-ball resurgence over the last decade. His dynamic captaincy, prolific batting, and unparalleled intensity have been instrumental in transforming India into a formidable Test team both domestically and internationally.

Kohli concludes his Test career with an impressive tally of 9,230 runs from 123 matches, boasting an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 51 half-centuries. He retires as the fourth-most successful Test captain in history, trailing behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins).

His 30 Test centuries place him as the fourth-most successful Indian batter, following Sachin Tendulkar (51 hundreds), Rahul Dravid (36), and Sunil Gavaskar (34). Kohli also holds the record for the most Test double hundreds by an Indian, with seven, and has the highest number of Test hundreds as an Indian captain, with Gavaskar (11 centuries) significantly behind his 20 tons.

Previously, the right-handed batter announced his retirement from the T20I format following India's T20 World Cup victory last year. At 36 years old, he will now exclusively participate in ODI cricket for India.