Legendary batsman Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket. After Rohit Sharma bid farewell to the longest format ahead of the England tour, Virat Kohli has now officially confirmed his retirement from red-ball cricket. He shared the news on Instagram. It is worth noting that both Virat and Rohit had earlier announced their retirement from T20 Internationals together. Kohli wrote on his Instagram, “269 signing off.” The number 269 refers to his Test cap number. He will not be part of the upcoming England tour.
While announcing his retirement, Virat Kohli wrote on Instagram: “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never thought this format would take me on such a journey. It tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons that I’ll carry for life. Playing in whites is a very personal experience — the quiet grind, long days, and little moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
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Kohli continued: “I am stepping away from this format, and while it is not an easy decision, it feels right. I have given everything I had to Test cricket, and it has given me so much more in return. I leave with immense gratitude — for the game, for those I’ve played with, and for every single person who supported me throughout. I will always look back on my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off.”
Virat Kohli made his Test debut on 20 June 2011 against the West Indies. His final appearance came during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, played in Sydney starting from 3 January 2025. Over the course of 123 Test matches and 210 innings, Kohli scored a total of 9,230 runs. This includes seven double centuries, 30 centuries, and 31 half-centuries. He averaged 46.85 with a strike rate of 55.58 and remained not out 13 times. He hit 1,027 fours and 30 sixes in his Test career.
