Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket

Virat Kohli, at 36 years old, has formally announced his retirement from Test cricket, concluding an impressive 14-year tenure that significantly influenced Indian cricket. Kohli’s career boasts remarkable statistics.

Throughout his 123 Test matches, he accumulated 9,230 runs, maintaining an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Beyond these statistics, his leadership and tenacity were crucial in developing the modern Indian cricket squad.

Kohli concluded his journey as the 12th highest run-scorer in the World Test Championship, amassing 2,617 runs across 47 matches.

Career Highlights

A key aspect of Kohli’s career involves numerous record-breaking achievements, such as being the highest run-scorer in a calendar year for an Indian batter in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2023.

He stands alone as the only Indian player to achieve seven Test centuries in Australia, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record.

During the 2014/15 tour of Australia, Kohli became the first Indian cricketer to score four centuries in a single overseas Test series. In the 2016-17 home season, he achieved a significant milestone by scoring 1,059 runs, the most by any Indian player.

Kohli also holds the record for the highest rating points earned by an Indian in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, achieving 937 points in 2018.

From Debut to Greatness

From his initial Test appearance in 2011 to becoming one of cricket’s legends, Kohli’s journey was defined by zeal, resolve, and leadership. His personal best of 254 not out against South Africa in 2019 showcased his talent and mental fortitude.

As captain, Kohli led India in 68 Tests, securing victories in 40 matches, which ranks as the fourth-highest number of wins for a Test captain worldwide.

He guided India to their first World Test Championship final and oversaw historic series triumphs, notably the 2018-19 victory in Australia.

Unachieved Milestones

Certain milestones remained elusive for Kohli.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, he retires without a Test century in Bangladesh, marking the only country where he did not achieve this feat, and without securing a series victory in South Africa and England.

Kohli narrowly missed the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket, concluding his career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests.

He also did not finish as the leading run-scorer for India in the World Test Championship (WTC), falling 99 runs short of Rohit Sharma (2617), who concluded his red-ball career the previous week.