Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer and former captain, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. Following reports that Kohli had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his intention before to the five-match Test series against England next month, the decision was made.

The squad would be without its two most seasoned batters if Kohli were to go, as Rohit Sharma had just announced his retirement from Test cricket. This presents significant questions regarding depth and leadership as India gets ready for a demanding English summer. However, pointing to the crucial upcoming assignments in the format, like as the England tour, the BCCI had encouraged Kohli to change his mind.

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have withdrawn from the game’s longest format in less than a week, leaving the Indian squad lacking in batting experience.

“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,” Kohli wrote in his Instagram post.

“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. #269, signing off,” he added.

Over the past ten years, India’s red-ball comeback has been mostly attributed to Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011. At home and abroad, his aggressive leadership, prolific batting, and unparalleled intensity have made India a competitive Test team.

With 9230 runs at an outstanding average of 46.85 in 123 games, 30 hundreds, and 51 half-centuries, Kohli will say goodbye to his Test career. He retires as the fourth-most successful Test captain overall, trailing only Steve Waugh (41 victories), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Graeme Smith (53 wins).

After Rahul Dravid (36), Sunil Gavaskar (34), and Sachin Tendulkar (51 hundreds), Kohli is the fourth-most successful Indian batsman with 30 Test hundreds. Additionally, Kohli achieved the most Test double hundreds of any Indian with seven. Gavaskar (11 centuries) is well behind his 20 tons, making him the Indian skipper with the most Test hundreds.

Following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup last year, the right-handed batsman had earlier declared his retirement from the T20I format. The 36-year-old will now only play for India in One-Day Internationals.

In a public appeal, Former West Indies legend Brian Lara has urged Indian batting great Virat Kohli to change his rumored plan to retire from Test cricket.

Brian Lara posted on social, “Test cricket needs Virat!! He is going to be persuaded. He is NOT going to retire from Test cricket. @virat.kohli is going to average above 60 for the remainder of his Test career.”

Ambati Rayudu, a former cricket player for India, has previously begged Virat Kohli to change his rumored plan to retire from Test cricket.

“Virat Kohli, please don’t retire. The Indian team needs you more than ever. You have so much more in the tank. Test cricket will not be the same without you walking out to battle it out for Team India…Please reconsider,” posted Rayudu.

After India won the Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados last year, both Rohit and Kohli had retired from Twenty20 Internationals. Only ODI cricket will be available for the seasoned pair to play for India if Kohli decides to retire from Test matches.