On May 12, 2025 the world was taken by surprise as Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the longest format of the game after 14 great years. His career left a legacy which still inspires players and fans. Kohli is put forward as one of the all time greats of modern cricket which he did through his incredible talent and work rate.
He finishes his Test career with 9,230 runs from 123 matches which includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties. But his impact went way beyond the numbers. He became a symbol of determination, hard work and excellence on the field. Known for his aggressive style of play and top notch fitness, Kohli set new standards for professionalism and consistency in Test cricket.
At age 36 he retired which many see as the break of a revolutionary period for Indian cricket. As captain he instilled a winning mentality in the team which saw them do the unprecedented like India’s first ever series win in Australia (2018-19) and also dominant performances in South Africa, England and New Zealand.
In a very emotional post on Instagram he said “Not easy, but feels right. He thanked his teams, coaches, family and fans for their support which resonated with cricket fans all over the world. Saying goodbye to the format he loved so much wasn’t easy but it was definitely the right decision. Kohli had been in discussion with the BCCI before Rohit Sharma’s retirement but what he put forth was that it was time for the younger generation to take the lead. His self less approach showed his commitment to Indian cricket’s future.
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The cricket community reacted quickly with tributes flooding in for his great career. The BCCI put out a statement lauding his legacy and the ICC named him one of the finest batsmen of his era for his role in raising the standards of Test cricket world wide. Former teammates and rivals have all lauded Kohli’s impact. Many pointed out how his fiery passion and competitive edge transformed India’s approach to Test cricket which made them a tough team in all conditions.
As fans look back on his incredible journey they will recall not just the records and runs but the fierce spirit Kohli brought to every game. For 14 years he was the heart and soul of Indian cricket. Even though his Test career is over his legacy will live on in the sport forever. Kohli’s retirement is not just the end of a chapter but the mark of an era which helped to define Indian cricket in the 21st century.
