Virat Kohli, one of the most celebrated cricketers in India’s history, has announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, marking the end of an era for both the player and the sport in the country. The announcement comes at a time when the Indian cricket team is preparing for the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, and just after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conveyed a clear message to Kohli regarding his future in the national squad.
In a shift from earlier reports suggesting the BCCI was urging Kohli to stay on for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, sources reveal that the board actually informed the 36-year-old that his services were no longer required in the Test team. This decision reportedly came after a meeting with the Indian team management and a candid discussion with the player. According to a source quoted by Dainik Jagran, the BCCI does not interfere with individual players’ decisions, but it made it clear that Kohli no longer fit into the Test team setup.
Kohli’s departure from the format marks the conclusion of a remarkable 14-year journey, one that has seen the player rise to superstardom and achieve unprecedented success in Test cricket. Reflecting on his journey, Kohli took to Instagram to express his gratitude for the lessons the game had imparted and his immense pride in his Test career. “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote in his farewell post, concluding with the poignant message, “#269 signing off.” His retirement is particularly significant given the deep emotional connection he had with the format, which, as he mentioned, “tested” and “shaped” him throughout his career.
However, the last few years have been challenging for Kohli in the longest format of the game. His recent performances have not been up to the stellar standards he set earlier in his career. In the 2024-25 Test series against Australia, Kohli managed just 190 runs in five matches, with an average of 23. His 30th Test century, scored in Perth, was a bright spot, but the rest of the series was a struggle. The situation worsened during India’s home series against New Zealand, where he could only muster 93 runs in six innings.
Despite the recent dip in form, Kohli’s legacy in Test cricket remains unshakable. Over the course of 210 innings in 105 Test matches, Kohli amassed 9230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a career average of 46.85. His highest score of 254* remains a benchmark in Indian cricket, and his contribution to Indian cricket, both as a player and as a leader, is unmatched.
The BCCI’s decision not to ask Kohli to continue with the Test team comes at a time when Indian cricket is undergoing a transition. With new faces emerging in the squad and an emphasis on building for the future, the move marks a decisive shift. It reflects not just the evolving demands of the team, but also the challenging realities of an aging cricketer trying to keep pace with the game.
For many, Kohli’s retirement signals the end of one of the most glorious chapters in Indian cricket history. His departure, though marked by controversy and mixed emotions, is also a testament to his legacy, which will inspire future generations of cricketers. As Kohli steps away from the game, his presence will undoubtedly be missed on the field, but his contributions to Indian cricket will forever be etched in the annals of the sport.
