Virat Kohli, India’s Batting Maestro, Bows Out of Test Cricket

The retirement of Virat Kohli from Test cricket on 12th May 2025 will close a historic period of the Indian cricket. Speaking in the message posted on Instagram, he mentioned “quiet grind” long days and little moments that molded him into whites. The 36 year old exits the format days after teammate Rohit Sharma did. His timing is revealing of more than that shift in selection dynamics. It implies a man that hears his inner voice, instead of the outside opinion.

In 14 years, Kohli has played 123 Tests and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He occupies India’s fourth place in the country’s all-time Test run-scoring behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar. He struck 30 centuries and 31 fifties. Seven of those tons did come in, nine against Australia and an extraordinary six innings of 150 and above. His record shows both consistency and the capability to perform under intolerable pressure.

As captain between 2014 and 2022, Kohli played 68 tests for India. That side won 40 of those matches, the highest number recorded by any Indian leader since only Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith and Steve Waugh have more victories internationally. His captaincy led India to two World Test Championship finals, the first in 2021 at The Oval. His very own ethos was a grit and discipline that characterized the defeat of his team.

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

Test cricket was not all about runs and records to Kohli. It was his reflection of character. He came under his sharpest challenge off the field when he first exploded on the scene as an 18-year-old. Just hours after his father’s sudden death, in December 2006 he resumed batting for Delhi against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. He made 90 runs to deny his side from being follow-on, exited the ground to carry out last rites of his father. Those innings made that one his defining moment of his career – proof of a resolve that eventually speared him on to the highest peak of the international cricket.

Kohli led India to Under-19 World Cup triumph in Malaysia in 2008 Under-19 World Cup. He took the team from the front with 235 runs at an average of 47.00 including one century declared the “innings of the tournament” by ESPNcricinfo. That success accelerated him into the senior playing team. His first ever series in 2011 against the West Indies had him making over 60 to an average, a clear indication of things to come.

But greatness took its toll. In the three years between January 2022, and January 2025, Kohli could only score three Test centuries. He confessed to having difficulties with form and mental stress, fighting a depression bout in the tour of England, 2014. He turned to Sachin Tendulkar for tips on how he can restore his confidence. When he resurrected his dismal form for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and displayed moments of the old fire, the calm he found in franchise cricket could not eclipse the burden of playing for his country in Tests.

What Test cricket “taught me lessons I’ll carry for life” was made evident in Kohli’s retirement statement. That expression describes more than field problems. It is a reflection of the war he waged – balancing family life with international commitments, living up to an image which fans and media gave him “King Kohli” and handling identity issues that stardom often brings. He copped to having “faked intensity” on occasion: doing a persona rather than just playing the game.

Onwards in the future, India’s white-ball will still revolve around Kohli. The 2027 World Cup is on his radar, with ODIs and T20Is on the radar in the immediate future. He will have to be able to adjust his technique and make an effort to control his labour as he juggles franchise tasks and national responsibilities. What fans can expect is that hard cover drives and the cutting running between the wickets they were accustomed to during his Test career.

There were tributes galore on social media and dressing rooms. Sachin Tendulkar talked in aw of Kohli’s passion. He praised his competitive spirit. ICC chair Jay Shah thanked him for ‘championing the purest format during the rise of T20 cricket”. For a player who was previously damned for wrong temperament what he earned in respect form team-mates and even opponents is much.

Illustrious legacy 🇮🇳
Inspiring intensity 👏
Incredible icon ❤️

The Former #TeamIndia Captain gave it all to Test Cricket 🙌

Thank you for the memories in whites, Virat Kohli 🫡#ViratKohli | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/febCkcFhoC

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 12, 2025

Virat Kohli’s Test career started under kliegs of Delhi and finished on world renown stages of Lord’s and Melbourne. Between those, there are agony and triumph moments: century in Adelaide, representing debut, heroic 97 at Lord’s, record chase of Chennai. His is a story of tireless self improvement and given commitment.

Now, as he moves away from the whites Test cricket loses one of the greatest contemporary artists. His next move – on limited-overs’ stage, as mentor, or even as a commentator, will surely be charged with the same keenness. But for that silent grind in whites he will forever be remembered as a man who had nothing to spare a player who came out like a Turner in a battering ram nailing me to the cross where indeed he walked away.