Indian superstar batter Virat Kohli has called an end to his illustrious Test career, confirmed his retirement on Monday, May 12, 2025.
While Kohli may not walk away from Tests with 10,000 runs or an average over 50, he has left a legacy as the most successful Test captain in Indian history, and plenty of records to his name.
Reports had earlier emerged of his desire to quit Test cricket after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, however, the Indian legend has now confirmed his decision on social media.
MORE: Who will be India’s next Virat Kohli? Listing 3 batsmen who could be the next ‘King’
Kohli shared on Instagram: “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.”
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“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,” he concluded
Here’s how legends and India teammates from the cricket world reacted to Kohli’s retirement in red-ball cricket.
Check: How will India line up without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? India probable XI for 1st Test against England
Cricket world reacts to Virat Kohli’s Test retirement
Gautam Gambhir
Indian head coach, Kohli’s former India and Delhi teammate, Gambhir shared his tribute, calling him a “Man with a lion’s passion”.
While two of India’s aggressive players have had their fiery moments on the field, Gambhir ended his post with an emotional “Miss You”.
A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025
Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar hails Kohli as the biggest brand of the modern era and remarks that Test cricket owes him a debut.
Biggest brand of the modern cricket era who gave it all for cricket’s oldest format. Test cricket owes that debt to Virat Kohli. 🙏🙏🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 12, 2025
Harbhajan Singh
The former Indian off-spinner had just two words in reaction to Kohli’s retirement. Like many others, he has been left shocked by the Indian No. 4’s retirement decision.
Why Retired ? @imVkohli
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 12, 2025
Harsha Bhogle
Like his predecessor, MS Dhoni,and teammate Rohit Sharma, Kohli leaves Test cricket without a farewell match.
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
AB de Villiers
South African legend ABD bids farewell to his RCB teammates’ decision to end his red-ball career, calling him a ‘True Legend’
Instagram post by AB De Villiers for his Biscotti ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tLF70ZnqgR
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 12, 2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal
One of the future superstars of Indian cricket, Jaiswal, posted his tribute to Kohli, a batter whom he grew up watching.
He cherished the opportunity of getting to bat alongside him, sharing a picture from one of their partnerships.
Greg Chappell
Former Australian captain penned an emotional farewell letter to Kohli in his tribute on ESPN Cricinfo, calling him, “the blueprint for every Indian cricketer”.
“He redefined expectations, challenged conventions, and symbolised the self-assured, unapologetic India of the 21st century”
Greg Chappell writes on Virat Kohli ✍️ https://t.co/RpNV7DrqPY pic.twitter.com/MvsaSUdSQn
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 12, 2025
Jay Shah (ICC Chairman)
Jay Shah praised Kohli’s impact on Test cricket in India by highlighting the former Test captain’s speech on Day 5 of the Lord’s Test in 2021.
Kohli was then seen motivating his players, with a badass quote: “For 60 overs, they should feel hell out there.”
This mindset defined the Indian legend’s time as the country’s red-ball skipper, leaving a strong imprint on both his teammates and the younger generations to come.
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
More reactions to follow…