Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket Ahead of England Series

Virat Kohli, a mainstay in India's Test batting order for over a decade, has stepped away from red-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming home series against England, ending his illustrious tenure in the format.

Kohli, 36, concluded his Test career with 123 appearances and a tally of 9,230 runs. His average stood at 48.7, and he finished with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, marking one of the most consistent records in Indian cricket history.

The final chapter of his Test journey unfolded during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. He began with a century in Perth but could not sustain momentum across the five-match series, accumulating only 190 runs. His returns in the last four Tests dipped, with 85 runs combined, and technical vulnerabilities against seam movement led to multiple slip dismissals—eight out of his ten dismissals came via edges.

Despite signaling interest in captaining the side in the upcoming England tour, Kohli opted to retire before the squad selection. His departure comes at a time when India is transitioning to a younger core in the longest format.

Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies and quickly established himself as a crucial figure in the batting unit. As skipper, he instilled a culture of fitness and aggression, leading India to historic achievements. Notably, under his leadership, India secured its first-ever Test series victory in Australia during the 2018–19 season.

Across 68 Tests as captain, Kohli secured 40 wins—more than any other Indian skipper to date. His tenure also saw India claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings and reach the World Test Championship final.

While Kohli will remain active in limited-overs cricket, his exit from the Test arena leaves a strategic and leadership vacuum. Reactions have poured in from former players and fans alike, acknowledging the void his departure will create and reflecting on the impact he had on modern Test cricket in India.