India legend Virat Kohli explains shock decision to retire from Test cricket
Ex-India captain Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket (Picture: Getty) Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket ahead of India’s tour of England this summer. Kohli is considered one of the best players of his generation, having scored 9,230 runs at an average of 47 in 123 Test matches. The 36-year-old scored 30 centuries in the format on top of the 52 he has made in international white-ball cricket. Kohli’s decision comes just days after fellow India great Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the Test game. Rohit was believed to have been encouraged to step aside by the BCCI but Kohli’s decision comes as a surprise as he was expected to be part of India’s squad for this summer’s much-anticipated five-match Test series in England. Kohli had even been named as a potential replacement for Rohit as India’s Test captain but the modern-day great has now walked away from the format for good. ‘It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,’ he said. ‘Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. Kohli scored 30 centuries and 31 fifties in Test cricket (Picture: Getty) ‘It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. ‘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. ‘As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. https://www.instagram.com/p/DJiwQm0RbiM/?hl=en ‘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. ‘I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.’ Kohli made his Test debut back in June 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the best red-ball batters in the world alongside the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. Why Virat Kohli is a modern-day great He averaged more than 50 every year between 2013 and 2019, the only blip on his record being his meagre returns in England. Kohli scored his final Test century in last winter’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia but generally struggled during the series as India were beaten 3-1. The hundred in Perth was his first in 15 innings across 16 months, with Kohli averaging just 30 since the start of 2020. With 30 Test tons, Kohli is the fourth-most successful India player behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar. His tally of seven Test double hundreds is the most by an India. Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both retired (Picture: Getty) As well as being a prolific batter, Kohli was a hugely successful India Test captain, securing 40 wins from his 68 Tests in charge. Only three captains in history – Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh – led their respective nations to more Test wins. Like Rohit, Kohli will continue to play white-ball cricket as arguably the greatest one-day batter of all time. Kohli averages close to 58 in ODIs with an incredible 51 centuries in 302 matches. The India hero has been in superb form in this season’s Indian Premier League but the tournament has now been suspended on safety grounds. India are expected to give England a stern examination this summer but will now be without Kohli and Rohit, two mainstays in the team for the past decade. ‘It has been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites,’ said Rohit, 38. ‘Thank you for all of the love and support over the years.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket ahead of India’s tour of England this summer.
Kohli is considered one of the best players of his generation, having scored 9,230 runs at an average of 47 in 123 Test matches.
The 36-year-old scored 30 centuries in the format on top of the 52 he has made in international white-ball cricket.
Kohli’s decision comes just days after fellow India great Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the Test game.
Rohit was believed to have been encouraged to step aside by the BCCI but Kohli’s decision comes as a surprise as he was expected to be part of India’s squad for this summer’s much-anticipated five-match Test series in England.
Kohli had even been named as a potential replacement for Rohit as India’s Test captain but the modern-day great has now walked away from the format for good.
‘It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,’ he said. ‘Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on.
‘It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.
‘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.
‘As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for.
‘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.
‘I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.’
Kohli made his Test debut back in June 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the best red-ball batters in the world alongside the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson.
Why Virat Kohli is a modern-day great
He averaged more than 50 every year between 2013 and 2019, the only blip on his record being his meagre returns in England.
Kohli scored his final Test century in last winter’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia but generally struggled during the series as India were beaten 3-1.
The hundred in Perth was his first in 15 innings across 16 months, with Kohli averaging just 30 since the start of 2020.
With 30 Test tons, Kohli is the fourth-most successful India player behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar. His tally of seven Test double hundreds is the most by an India.
As well as being a prolific batter, Kohli was a hugely successful India Test captain, securing 40 wins from his 68 Tests in charge.
Only three captains in history – Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh – led their respective nations to more Test wins.
Like Rohit, Kohli will continue to play white-ball cricket as arguably the greatest one-day batter of all time.
Kohli averages close to 58 in ODIs with an incredible 51 centuries in 302 matches.
The India hero has been in superb form in this season’s Indian Premier League but the tournament has now been suspended on safety grounds.
India are expected to give England a stern examination this summer but will now be without Kohli and Rohit, two mainstays in the team for the past decade.
‘It has been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites,’ said Rohit, 38. ‘Thank you for all of the love and support over the years.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
