The End of an Era: Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement
This incredible Indian batsman’s Kohli’s journey has been one of true success which he has led for numerous years throughout his unforgettable career filled with glorious milestones, and cherished memories.
One that has shocked the entire cricketing community is reportedly Kohli is set to announce his retirement from Test cricket to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The announcement came ahead of India’s 5 match test series against England, starting June 20, 2025, which is set to bring mixed emotions to the fanbase. With the BCCI hoping of changing Kohli’s mind, it feels this may be the end of an era which is known for pure passion, and rebellious brilliance.
A Storied Test Career
Virat Kohli’s Test career is pure gold for him. Ever since his first game back in 2011, he has played 123 Test matches and scored 9230 runs (46.85avg) along with 30 hundreds and multiple match winning performances. He dominated world cricket from 2016 to 2018 where he scored 3596 runs in 35 Tests at a mind-boggling average of 66.59 with 14 hundreds. One of his greatest highlights came in 2019 when he scored 254 not out against South Africa in Pune, showcasing his prowess against world-class bowling line ups (India vs South Africa 2019).
Kohli became India’s captain and took them to 68 Tests with 40 wins which makes him India’s most successful Test captain and the 4th overall behind Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. His ruthless form of captaincy turned India into one of the most feared teams in Test cricket with them winning back to back Test mace and historic series wins including in Australia. An astounding fact is that he scored 583 runs at an average of 59.30 in England during 2018, which is his pinnacle overseas performance (India in England 2018).
Career Pinnacles
Information
Matches Played: 123
Total Runs: 9230
Batting Average: 46.85
Centuries Scored: 30
Tests as Captain: 68
Captains Wins: 40
Best Score: 254* vs South Africa (2019)
Recent Challenges and Self-Evaluation
No doubt Kohli has been a remarkable player, but his form as a player has been a concern over the last couple of years. Kohli’s most recent Test century happened to be in November 2024, scoring a gritty 100*n out in Perth, however, he did not score a century prior to that which was July 2023 against the West Indies. His average over the last 24 months stands at 32.56 which is far lower than what he used to achieve during his peak years. His innings during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he was battling against balls delivered outside the off stump quite sparked a lot of conversations regarding his future in Test cricket (Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25).
This problem, added with other senior players retiring such as Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin may have lead to Kohli’s decision. Sources indicate that his decision to retire was not something done in haste, rather, it was a well thought out decision as he had been talking to the BCCI for over a month (Kohli’s Retirement Plans). The BCCI requesting him to reconsider his retirement shows they acknowledge his importance especially looking forward to the India in England series 2025; where his expertise could prove vital (India in England 2025).
Emotional Effects on Supporters and Other Players
The cricketing community has been deeply stirred by the possibility of hearing Kohli’s retirement news.Social media is swamped with posts honoring the ‘Chase Master’ and ‘Run Machine’ as they remember his breathtaking innings like the 82 runs not out he hammered against Pakistan during the 2022 T20 World Cup (Kohli’s T20WC 2022 Knock).
As followers pay tribute with heartfelt messages, many voiced appreciation towards his endeavors such as, “Kohli has won us many matches, but it’s time,” depicting the conflicting feeling that many have his bittersweet farewell (Fan Reactions).
Kohli’s endorsement is something that even former players and his relations appreciate in him. From Fitness to his leadership roles, Kohli was the guiding light that drove Indian cricket towards golden days and motivated adolescent cricketers such as Shubman Gill who now co-captains the squad for their tour in England (Shubman Gill Profile). The transition of India losing generational legends like Kohli, Sharma, and Ashwin within such a short period is strikingly noticeable.
An Era of Change for Indian Cricket
Kohli’s retirement is a time that holds a lot of importance for Indian cricket. With Rohit Sharma no longer interested in playing Test matches and along with other veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane out of the picture, there is a significant shift. India’s upcoming series against England, set to begin with a new World Test Championship cycle, is bound to test the team’s strength to the limit under Gill’s captaincy. Kohli not playing in the middle-order might throw off the balance of the team, especially with his previous history of success in England (India in England 2025).
The BCCI seems to be getting ready to discuss their plans of a phase out system for senior players like casually placing Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy slot in a possible phase out system (BCCI Phase-Out Policy). This balance aids in combating the issues of managing India’s supremacy in Test cricket while facilitating the introduction of fresh talent into the system.
What Should Come Next
Kohli is expected to be in the England squad, however, reports state that he might not travel, portraying his intent to let go of Test cricket (Kohli’s Retirement Confirmation). Following the team T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli along with Rohit retired from T20Is, thus shifting ODIs as the only remaining international format for him (BCCI Contracts).
As the cricket community waits for more information, there is still optimism that Kohli will change his mind, considering his history of bouncing back. But if indeed this is the final stop of his Test career, he will always be regarded as a great batsman, captain, and in every sense of the word, a role model. Kohli’s contributions are simply remarkable, from guiding India towards astonishing wins to setting new standards of fitness and professionalism in cricket.
Conclusion
Kohli’s speculated retirement from Test cricket will be a cause for reflection for many fans, players, and cricket lovers alike. His journey comprising of 9230 runs, 30 centuries, and 40 Test victories as captain is remarkable. India builds itself in preparation for a new era ahead, and Kohli’s departure, if it indeed is confirmed, means a conclusion of a phenomenal narrative while enabling him to continue influencing the Indian cricket landscape for years to come. For the time being, fans remember the “King” and anticipate one final wizardry in England.
