A Historic Farewell
On May 12, 2025, the cricketing world witnessed the end of an era — Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket. After an illustrious 14-year journey, Kohli bids goodbye to the longest and most cherished format of the sport. With 123 Tests, 9230 runs, and 68 matches as captain, his legacy is unmatched.Kohli’s Emotional Retirement Note
In a heartfelt message posted on social media, Kohli reflected on his journey: “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket… the quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but stay with you forever.” “I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude… I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”Virat Kohli’s Glorious Test Journey
Humble Beginnings
- Test Debut: June 2011 vs West Indies
- Initial performances were modest (scores of 4 and 15), but his potential was evident.
Breakthrough Series: Australia 2011-12
- Scored his first Test century at the Adelaide Oval
- Emerged as the only Indian batsman to shine during a difficult tour
Defining Moment: Australia 2014–15
- Appointed stand-in captain in MS Dhoni’s absence
- Scored twin centuries in the Adelaide Test
- Became full-time captain after Dhoni’s retirement
Kohli as Test Captain: A New Era for India
Virat Kohli revolutionized India’s Test cricket culture with aggressive leadership, fitness-first mindset, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence.Captaincy Stats
- Tests as Captain: 68
- Wins: 40
- Losses: 17
- Win Percentage: 58.82%
- Most Successful Indian Test Captain
Global Rankings
- 4th most successful Test captain globally (behind Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh)
Career Highlights & Milestones
| Achievement | Statistic |
| Total Test Matches | 123 |
| Runs Scored | 9230 |
| Batting Average | 46.85 |
| Test Centuries | 29 |
| Double Centuries | 7 |
| Highest Score | 254* vs South Africa (2019) |
| Most Runs in a Calendar Year | 1322 in 2018 |
| Notable Tour | 583 runs in England (2018) at 59.30 average |
Final Years & Farewell Century
Though Kohli experienced a dip in form post-2023, he still managed to silence critics with a memorable century in Perth in 2024. His passion for the game and contribution to Indian cricket remained unwavering.End of an Iconic Test Generation
With Kohli’s retirement, India’s golden Test era sees another chapter close. Recent retirements and absences include:- Rohit Sharma
- R. Ashwin
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- KL Rahul
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah
What’s Next for Virat Kohli?
Though he’s stepping away from Tests, Kohli will continue:- Representing India in ODIs and T20Is
- Leading Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL
- Influencing future cricketers with his work ethic and mindset
Impact on Fantasy Cricket & Platforms like 11xplay VIP
Virat Kohli’s retirement will impact fantasy cricket strategies across platforms such as:- ✅ 11xplay VIP
- ✅ 11xplay Online ID
- ✅ 11x Game VIP