In a significant development for Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his intention to retire from Test cricket. The move is expected to take place following the highly anticipated five-match Test series against England, beginning on June 20. While Virat Kohli is expected to be part of the squad for this series, his long-term future in the format appears to be nearing its end.
Virat Kohli’s Test Career
According to sources close to ESPNcricinfo, Kohli has been in ongoing discussions with BCCI officials over the past month regarding his retirement. If he follows through on this decision, it will conclude a remarkable 14-year-long Test career marked by significant milestones and leadership achievements.
Kohli has so far played 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them—making him the most successful Test captain in India’s history. Globally, he stands fourth among captains with the most Test wins, trailing only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41).
Despite his legacy, Kohli’s recent performance in the format has seen a dip. Since his career-best 254* against South Africa in 2019, his average has dropped, managing only 32.56 in the last two years. His century in Perth in November 2024, where he scored 100* against Australia, was his first since July 2023.
The England series holds special significance for Kohli. It was on the 2018 tour to England that he silenced critics with 583 runs at an average of 59.30, a stark contrast to his disappointing 2014 campaign. That year, he emerged as the leading run-scorer across both teams, reaffirming his stature as one of the world’s premier batters.
Kohli’s possible retirement comes amid a broader transition in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma recently announced his retirement from the Test format, and Ravichandran Ashwin bid farewell to international cricket during the 2024-25 Australia tour. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not in the selectors’ plans and Mohammed Shami still regaining full fitness, the Indian team finds itself in a rebuilding phase.
Shubman Gill is tipped to take over the Test captaincy, marking a generational shift in leadership. Kohli’s experience is still seen as vital, especially during the England tour, and his presence could provide crucial guidance to the younger squad.
Both Kohli and Rohit were recently retained in the elite A+ category of BCCI’s central contracts—typically reserved for multi-format players. However, both have already stepped away from T20Is following India’s World Cup triumph last year. If Kohli does exit the Test arena, he will likely focus solely on ODIs going forward.
From a golden run between 2016 and 2018—where he averaged over 66 with 14 centuries—to a testing phase in recent years, Kohli’s Test journey has been one of passion, intensity, and unmatched commitment. As the cricketing world awaits his final decision, fans will hope to see him bow out on a high, potentially in the very country where he redeemed himself seven years ago.
Certainly! Here’s a detailed timeline highlighting the key milestones of Virat Kohli’s illustrious Test cricket career:
🏏 Virat Kohli’s Test Career Timeline
2011: Test Debut
June 20–23: Kohli made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.
2014: Struggles in England
July–August: Faced challenges during the England tour, scoring only 134 runs in 10 innings, averaging 13.4.
2015: Appointed Full-Time Test Captain
August: After MS Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket, Kohli was named India’s full-time Test captain.
2016–2018: Golden Years
- 2016: Averaged 75.93 in Tests.
- 2017: Averaged 75.64 in Tests.
- 2018: Averaged 55.08 in Tests.
2016–2018: Scored 3,596 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 66.59, including 14 centuries and 8 fifties.
2018: Redemption in England
August–September: Bounced back in England, scoring 593 runs in 5 Tests at an average of 59.30, including two centuries.
2018–2019: Historic Series Win in Australia
December–January: Led India to their first-ever Test series victory in Australia. Scored 282 runs in the series, including a century in Perth.
2019: Career-Best Score
October: Recorded his highest Test score of 254* against South Africa in Pune.
2022: Stepped Down as Test Captain
January: Resigned from Test captaincy after leading India in 68 Tests, with 40 wins, making him India’s most successful Test captain.
2023: Century in West Indies
July: Scored a century against the West Indies in Port of Spain, marking his return to form.
2024: Century in Australia
November: Notched a century (100*) in the Perth Test against Australia, his first since July 2023.
2025: Announcement of Intent to Retire
May: Informed the BCCI of his desire to retire from Test cricket after the upcoming England series starting June 20.
Throughout his Test career, Virat Kohli has amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.
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