Ultimately of an period for Indian Take a look at cricket, Virat Kohli follows fellow batting star Rohit Sharma into retirement.
India batsman Virat Kohli introduced his retirement from Take a look at cricket, bringing down the curtain on a glowing profession within the longest format simply days after captain Rohit Sharma did the identical.
Kohli, who made his debut in 2011 and scored 30 centuries and 9,230 runs at a mean of 46.85 over 123 checks, is predicted to stay out there for one-day internationals.
The 36-year-old give up Twenty20 Worldwide instantly after India gained their second 20-over World Cup trophy within the West Indies final yr.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the saggy blue in take a look at cricket. Truthfully, I by no means imagined the journey this format would take me on,” Kohli posted on Instagram on Monday.
“It’s examined me, formed me, and taught me classes I’ll carry for all times.
“There’s one thing deeply private about taking part in in whites. The quiet grind, the lengthy days, the small moments that nobody sees however that stick with you perpetually.”
Whereas Kohli’s last take a look at wrapped up a 3-1 take a look at sequence defeat by Australia in January, which noticed India relinquish the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the primary time in a decade, he shall be remembered most for his spell as captain between 2014 and 2022.
Kohli gained 40 of his 68 checks in command of India to turn out to be the nation’s most profitable skipper within the format, and sits fourth within the listing of captains with probably the most take a look at victories.
Solely Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) gained extra checks as captains.
India suffered solely 17 defeats with Kohli on the helm as he guided the facet to the ultimate of the inaugural World Take a look at Championship in 2021, once they misplaced to New Zealand.
He was additionally a part of the crew that misplaced the second World Take a look at Championship last to Australia in 2023.
“I’m strolling away with a coronary heart stuffed with gratitude – for the sport, for the individuals I shared the sphere with, and for each single one that made me really feel seen alongside the best way,” he added.
“I’ll all the time look again at my take a look at profession with a smile.”
India’s subsequent take a look at task is a five-match sequence in England from June 20.
