'269 Signing Off': Virat Kohli Announces Retirement From Test Cricket, Says, 'It's Not Easy, But..'

Virat Kohli is one of the most celebrated cricketers on the Indian cricket team. The way he hits massive 6s and 4s never fails to leave the viewers stunned, and over the years, he has only proved his mantel in the cricket team. We saw a young cricketer play his first match, we cheered when he peaked at his innings, and now we have witnessed the sad reality of his exit from the test tournaments after an impeccable inning over the years. 

Virat Kohli sings off as #269 as he announces retirement from the Test cricket

Virat Kohli, aka 'King Kohli', has decided to give his bat a rest from the Test cricket tournaments. Ahead of the national side's scheduled five-match tour to England in June 2025, the star player took to his Instagram handle on May 12, 2025 and shared his decision. Virat announced his Test retirement with immediate effect on Monday, May 12, 2025. Virat posted a picture of himself in the white Indian jersey and penned a heartfelt note for his fans. He shared that it has been 14 years since he first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket.

Virat Kohli added that he had never imagined the journey it would take him on, but it tested him, shaped him, and taught him lessons he would forever hold in his heart. He further added that there was something extremely personal about playing in whites. He revealed that the format gave him several memories that not many see but will stay with him forever. The 36-year-old brought down the curtains on a prolific red-ball career, spanning 14 years and 123 Tests; he shared that it was not an easy decision to make but feels right. A part of his post read:

"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."

Virat Kohli's impeccable contribution to Indian Test cricket

Virat Kohli has been one of the most successful batters in the previous decade. His unfiltered aggression while on the field made him one of the most loved and relatable players in the country. He took over the Test captaincy from the successful hands of MS Dhoni in 2014 and led India over a successful eight-year tenure. In 68 outings as the skipper, he reigned the team to 40 Test match wins, making him the most successful Indian Test captain ever. He was the third-highest Test run-maker in the period between 2010 and 2019, accumulating a massive 7202 runs at a 54.97 average and 27 centuries, the most by any batter in the time.

However, Virat's strike went down post-COVID-19 pandemic, yet his innings will be the one to be looked at for a long time to come. With a total of 9230 runs in 210 innings, Virat stands fourth on the all-time charts among Indian batters. The cricketer ranks behind the legendary trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar with 15,921, 13,265 and 10,122 runs, respectively. For the unversed, Virat's announcement comes less than a week after Rohit Sharma announced that he will be handing the Test cap.

What are your thoughts on Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket?

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