On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli, one of the most famous people in Indian cricket, announced his retirement from Test cricket, after an amazing 14-year career in white. On Monday morning, Kohli shared his choice on social media, saying he enjoys playing for India in Baggy Blue.
Days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the red-ball format, the announcement was made. After making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, Kohli played 123 matches and amassed 9230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 hundreds. He was the most successful Test captain in India’s history, leading the team to victory in 40 of the 68 games.
“I have worn the baggy blue in Test cricket for the first time in fourteen years. To be honest, I had no idea the path this format would lead me down. It has put me to the test, moulded me, and given me lifelong lessons. Playing in whites carries a very particular meaning. The long days, the quiet grind, and the little moments that nobody notices but that stick with you forever.
It’s difficult for me to leave this format, but it feels right. It has returned far more than I could have imagined after I gave it everything I had. I’m leaving with a heart full of appreciation for the game, the teammates I played with, and everyone who helped me feel like I was seen. I will always grin when I think back on my Test career. In an Instagram photo, he wrote, “269, signing off.”
The Delhi native started off with respectable scores but quickly gained notoriety after hitting a century in Adelaide during the 2011–12 Australian tour. He developed a special affection for that nation, particularly during the 2014–15 series, in which he amassed 692 runs in four Test matches. At about the same time, he was promoted to captain of India, replacing MS Dhoni in that role.
Under Kohli’s leadership, India dominated this format, reaching the top of the ICC Test rankings and qualifying for the maiden World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2021. Former Indian legends like Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, among many others congratulated the Delhi-born and wished him luck for the future.
Here’s how cricketers reacted to Virat Kohli’s Test retirement
Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025
Set high standards and lived by them
Not a bad record as captain either,
58.82% win ratio as captain.#viratkohli pic.twitter.com/4ycuG3cB0m— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) May 12, 2025
Test cricket brought out the fighter in you and you gave it everything! You played the way greats do, with hunger in your heart, fire in your belly and pride in every stride. Proud of what you’ve done in whites. Go well King Kohli! @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ydJBA9W1I8
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 12, 2025
The intensity, the passion, the fight – you gave it your all, every single time! All the best for what’s ahead, @imVkohli bhai.
#RP17 pic.twitter.com/jeKH5mYogS— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) May 12, 2025
Congratulations Virat on a Test career you can be incredibly proud of! Your passion for the format was inspiring…and it was an honour to share the crease with you over the years, in the heat of many-a-battle, grinding it out for the country! Will cherish the several memories… pic.twitter.com/0Qp9vofOPn
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) May 12, 2025
Congratulations Virat on an incredible test career. From the time i saw you, knew that you are special. The intensity that you brought and the sheer passion with which you played Test cricket was a joy to watch. You were a great ambassador of Test cricket and wish you the best… pic.twitter.com/JP9yxQnnWC
— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 12, 2025
Your passion & leadership in Test cricket have inspired millions, brother! Love and respect bro @imVkohli
Sad to see you step away, but your legacy will live on. 🙌 #Legend #thankyouvirat pic.twitter.com/6Ce9Z0wnPj
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) May 12, 2025
An extraordinary career, drew crowds to Test Cricket, set new benchmarks and India’s greatest Test captain. Congratulations on a remarkable Test Career, @imVkohli , a format you helped keep alive by your sheer passion. Best wishes. pic.twitter.com/nxDKi9k1hA
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) May 12, 2025
Take a bow legend, for you are leaving behind an epic legacy. You make India proud. 🇮🇳 🏏
Wish you the very best! 🙌🏻#ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/qso5XWC6gK
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) May 12, 2025
A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025
Virat, we’ve shared that era… faced the grind together, lived the long days of Test cricket with pride. Your batting in whites is special — not just in numbers, but in intent, intensity, and inspiration.
Good luck going forward #ViratKohli #TestCricket @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/GSh1Ca6I3G— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 12, 2025
From U-17 days to representing India together, it’s been one incredible ride, Virat. We didn’t just share the field — we grew through the game side by side. Played together, learnt together, and watched each other evolve. You brought unmatched passion and energy to Test cricket,… pic.twitter.com/qCyc77PJHd
— Siddharthh Kaul (@iamsidkaul) May 12, 2025
Unmatched passion, unmatched energy, and a fight that was awe-inspiring. Test cricket had a heartbeat, and it was you, @imVkohli.
From my debut to series wins and double hundreds, the memories created on the field will always be special. And the conversations and the time spent… pic.twitter.com/QrAPo4UCVW
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) May 12, 2025
India
