Virat Kohli, the former India captain, has announced his retirement from Test cricket. Here are live updates of the announcement, including reactions and quotes.
Virat Kohli's Test career, in numbers:
Tests: 123, Innings: 210, Runs: 9,230, HS: 254*, Avg: 46.85, 100s: 30, 50s: 31
Kohli signs off with stirring social media post
The 36-year-old retires with a rich batting legacy in Test cricket, and incomparable numbers as captain. Debuting in 2011, he overcame early hiccups to become a mainstay in India's Test XI, developing a formidable team that reached unseen heights in the format.
He announced his retirement ahead of the England Tests, and now remains active only in the ODI format. In a statement on his social media account, he stated that "it's not easy, but it feels right", walking away "with a heart full of gratitude", and giving it "everything he had".
The retirement now leaves India without two of their most experienced batters going into the England tour. Days before Kohli, Rohit also announced his Test retirement. Both had exited the T20I format together after India's T20 World Cup win last year.
Virat Kohli retires: Live updates
Sachin Tendulkar: You carry my deepest admiration
As you retire from Tests, I'm reminded of your thoughtful gesture 12 years ago, during my last Test. You offered to gift me a thread from your late father. It was something too personal for me to accept, but the gesture was heartwarming and has stayed with me ever since. While I… pic.twitter.com/JaVzVxG0mQ
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 12, 2025
Anushka Sharma: Always imagined you'd retire in whites
Pujara: It was an honour to share the crease with you
Congratulations Virat on a Test career you can be incredibly proud of! Your passion for the format was inspiring...and it was an honour to share the crease with you over the years, in the heat of many-a-battle, grinding it out for the country! Will cherish the several memories… pic.twitter.com/S10HID8tX4
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) May 12, 2025
Congratulations on a phenomenal Test career, Virat Kohli.
— Nitish Kumar Reddy (@NitishKReddy) May 12, 2025
You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard. pic.twitter.com/lE9Ot7A2vV
Mickey Arthur: One of the game's greatest
Happy red ball retirement to one of the games greatest! @imVkohli
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) May 12, 2025
The example and standards you set were always of the highest order!
Jayasuriya pens tribute
All the best on your Test retirement @imVkohli While the world celebrates your cricketing brilliance and records, what I admire most is your unwavering commitment to fitness and the sacrifices you've made behind the scenes
— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) May 12, 2025
There was something about @imVkohli in whites. It wasn’t just skill. It was intent. He didn’t want to survive. He wanted to dominate. To conquer.
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) May 12, 2025
And in the process, he gave us 14 years of unforgettable memories. Best of luck for your journey ahead 🙌🏻#ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/gTaIRC1el0
Your passion & leadership in Test cricket have inspired millions, brother! Love and respect bro @imVkohli
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) May 12, 2025
Sad to see you step away, but your legacy will live on. 🙌 #Legend #thankyouvirat pic.twitter.com/6Ce9Z0wnPj
Unmatched passion, unmatched energy, and a fight that was awe-inspiring. Test cricket had a heartbeat, and it was you, @imVkohli.
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) May 12, 2025
From my debut to series wins and double hundreds, the memories created on the field will always be special. And the conversations and the time spent… pic.twitter.com/QrAPo4UCVW
Congratulations @imVkohli on a stellar Test career. Thank you for championing the purest format during the rise of T20 cricket and setting an extraordinary example in discipline, fitness, and commitment. Your speech at the Lord’s said it all - you played Tests with heart, grit,… pic.twitter.com/sYBhJ5HhJI
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 12, 2025
Jaffer: I feel he at least had three more years in him
I feel he at least had 3 more years in him, but his decision should be respected. Test cricket was never boring with Virat in. His presence alone brought millions of eyeballs. Once in a generation player. You will be missed @imVkohli Congratulations on a successful career 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/tOdzaz2wej
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 12, 2025
What have you done @ BGT 💔 pic.twitter.com/vYaPUxteNM
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 12, 2025
Bhogle: Would've liked to see Kohli retire before a packed stadium
I would have liked to see #ViratKohli go out of test cricket before a packed stadium. But since that is not to be let us applaud him wherever we are. He told a generation weaned on T20 cricket that test cricket is cool and aspirational. And for that, the game owes him big time.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 12, 2025
A man with lion’s passion!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6
AB de Villiers pens heartfelt note
Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025
Irfan Pathan calls him torchbearer of modern Test cricket
Congratulations on a phenomenal Test career, Virat Kohli.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 12, 2025
As captain, you didn’t just win matches—you changed mindsets.
You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard.
A true torchbearer of modern Indian Test cricket.#ThankYouVirat pic.twitter.com/rvFAulcMSQ
Yashasvi Jaiswal pens emotional post
From Yashasvi's Instagram account:
"Pajji , I grew up watching you play, and from the moment seeing you in that Indian jersey I dreamed of one day doing the same. You’ve been a source of inspiration not just for me, but for an entire generation who fell in love with cricket because of the passion and intensity you brought to the game. The impact you’ve had on Test cricket, and on cricket in India as a whole, is immeasurable. To have had the chance to share the pitch with you — someone I looked up to for so many years — was more than just a privilege; it was a moment I’ll carry with me forever."
The 30th, and last, Test century
He's back! Virat Kohli hits his 30th Test ton!#AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/X6P7RnajnX
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 24, 2024
RCB post a tribute
The curtain falls on a monumental Test Era
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 12, 2025
But his legacy lives on, etched in time and carved in pride. ♾️🥹
Thank you, Virat Kohli, for the fire, the bravery, and the unmatched passion. ❤️🔥
You didn’t just play this format, you elevated it. 👑🫡#ThankYouVirat #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/IdPCXoNDfu
Kohli's retirement statement in full
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.
I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.
#269, signing off.
Virat Kohli retires from Tests
On the morning of May 12, Virat Kohli signed off from Test cricket, making the decision public through a social media post.
