All speculations are over. Virat Kohli formally announced his retirement from the longest format of the game weeks ahead of India's tour to England for a crucial Test series, which will mark a new circle of the World Test Championship (WTC).

For the last couple of days, a part of Indian cricket fans were urging Virat Kohli not to walk away from the Tests so early, at least at this point, when Rohit Sharma just retired from Test and Virat himself was in solid form in the IPL 2025. When a media report first claimed the Delhi-born batter's desire to sign out from the tests, it spread like a bushfire.

The biggest Cold Moment in the history of test cricket is given by Virat Kohli when he said;

"60 overs they should feel like hell out there" 🔥🔥🔥

This man gave it all to make test cricket watchable ❤

End of an era 💔#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/4SIYTVobeR

— 🧢1⃣0⃣ (@CapXSid) May 12, 2025

Though, without any strong references, Indian cricket fans were still hoping for a possible best turnaround. But the report and speculations are proven true: Virat retires from the Test. Today, May 12, Virat Kohli, from his verified Instagram, announced his retirement by saying, "It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. 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." 

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The comment section of the list is currently flooding with comments. Within 8 minutes, about 60 thousand comments are in the post. His followers are currently running out of words to express their emotions. One of Virat Kohli's followers commented, "Words are not enough to describe your contribution to Test cricket. Thank you, champ." Another net user has said, "Consider me as a retired cricket fan from now on." Another follower has written, "Smjh ni aa raha badhay du apko ya sad rahu."

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

Virat Kohli's Test career stats in brief:

Number of matches: 123

Total number of runs he scored: 9,230

Batting average in Tests: 46.85

Total number of centuries: 30

Total number of half centuries: 31

Top score in test format: 254