Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket

Indian cricket legend and former captain Virat Kohli has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket, just days before India is set to unveil its squad for the upcoming tour of England.

In an emotional message shared on Instagram, the 36-year-old wrote, “Walking away from this format isn’t easy — but it feels like the right time. I’ve poured my heart into Test cricket, and in return, it has given me far more than I ever dreamed of.”

Reflecting on his journey, Kohli added, “It’s been 14 years since I first donned the baggy blue in Test matches. I could never have predicted how this format would shape me — it’s challenged me, molded me, and taught life-long lessons. There’s something profoundly personal about playing in whites — the quiet struggle, the endless days, and those small, unseen moments that stay with you forever.”

Kohli reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision a day prior to his public announcement. Though he was expected to be named in the squad for the five-match England series starting June 20, sources say he had been in discussions with BCCI officials about his retirement for several weeks.