Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a heartfelt move, star Indian batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, May 12, 2025. He made the revelation on Instagram with a simple caption: “269 Signing Off.” The number refers to his official player cap number in the Indian Test squad.
This decision comes just months after Rohit Sharma also retired from Test cricket. Kohli’s retirement marks the end of a glorious chapter in India’s red-ball journey.
Sharing his farewell on Instagram, Kohli wrote,
“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 tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I will carry for life.”
He continued,
“Playing in whites is deeply personal. The silent grind, long days, and unseen moments always stay with you. Walking away is not easy, but it feels right. I gave this format everything I had—and it gave me more than I ever expected.”
Expressing gratitude, he said,
“I walk away with immense respect—for the game, my teammates, and everyone who supported me. I’ll always look back on my Test career with a smile. #269 Signing Off.”
Virat Kohli debuted in Test cricket on June 20, 2011, against West Indies. His final appearance came in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, on January 3, 2025, in Sydney.
Over his 123-match career, Kohli played 210 innings, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His record includes:
30 centuries
31 half-centuries
7 double hundreds
1027 fours and 30 sixes
A strike rate of 55.58
He remained not out in 13 innings
This isn’t the first time Kohli and Rohit have exited a format in sync. Both players had retired from T20 Internationals together earlier. However, unlike Rohit—whose Test retirement followed a BCCI tribute—Kohli’s decision appears personal and introspective.
He will not be part of the upcoming England tour, as he formally steps away from red-ball cricket.
