Kohli Retires from Test Cricket After 14 Years, Sparks Reactions

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, surprising fans and former players alike. Sharing an emotional post on his Instagram account, the prolific batsman—often referred to as the “run machine”—bid farewell to the longest format of the game.

Virat Kohli described representing the country in Test cricket for 14 years as a significant achievement. He reflected on how the format taught him many valuable life lessons, tested him constantly, and helped shape him both as a player and as a person.

In reaction to Kohli’s unexpected decision, former players expressed their astonishment. Former Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh questioned the decision on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Why did you retire, Kohli?” Similarly, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen also responded to the news with a post on X, writing, “Kohli, what kind of decision is this?”

Virat Kohli represented India in 123 Test matches, captaining the team in 68 of those. He scored a total of 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, which included 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.

Speculation regarding Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket had been circulating in recent days. Reports suggested that he, like Rohit Sharma, was preparing to step away from the format. Staying true to those expectations, the veteran batsman has officially announced his departure from Test cricket.