Virat Kohli, arguably India’s most acclaimed cricketer, has announced his retirement from Test cricket this week. This decision follows his last one-day series performance in January where India continued to struggle with a 3-1 series loss to Australia. Yet at only 36, Kohli has already built an unforgettable legacy. He has deepened his legacy as one of the all-time greats in the short format.
A qualified success Kohli captained the Indian Test team 2014 till early 2022, attaining historic achievements within his administration. During his captaincy, India won 40 of 68 Test matches. This latest achievement has made him the most successful captain ever, in the 82 year long history of Indian Test cricket. He is fourth by all captains with the most global Test wins. His captaincy was not without blemishes, as India lost 17 tests in this period.
Considering the exceptional weight of both numbers, Kohli had one of the most formidable Test match careers with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 over 123 Test matches. His tally of 30 hundreds makes him one of the all-time great run scorers in the shortened format. After his debut Test in 2011, Kohli – under the captaincy of M.S. Dhoni – became a pivotal part of the Indian cricket squad. He took India to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. Sadly, they came up just short against Australia in 2023 in the London final.
Looking back on his time in Test cricket, Kohli said he was thankful for the experiences he had picked up through the process.
“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.” – Virat Kohli
He recognized the profound intimate relationship he enjoys with the medium.
“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.” – Virat Kohli
As he takes a leave from Test formats, Kohli is likely to be available for one-day internationals. His many contributions to India’s cricketing success will be cherished forever by his teammates, fans and well-wishers.
