Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli is reportedly on the verge of retiring from Test cricket, potentially marking the end of an era just weeks before India’s high-stakes tour of England. At 36, Kohli has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his intention to step away from the longest format, according to Indian media sources.
Kohli’s decision, if confirmed, comes at a pivotal moment. Following Rohit Sharma’s recent resignation from Test captaincy, the Indian team could now be without two of its most experienced leaders. The BCCI has requested Kohli to reconsider, especially with the five-Test series against England set to begin at Headingley on June 20 and concluding at The Oval on July 31.
During his illustrious Test career, Kohli has amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Despite a recent dip in form, his impact on Indian Test cricket remains unparalleled. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them — the most by any Indian skipper — and spearheaded India’s historic Test series victory in Australia in 2018–19.
Kohli’s absence would leave a significant void in India’s middle order, placing greater responsibility on emerging talents like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant. Gill, vice-captain in ODIs, is seen as a strong contender to take over leadership duties in the red-ball format.
Kohli had already retired from T20 internationals after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win, but his strong performance in the ongoing IPL — scoring 505 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 143.46 — shows he still has plenty to offer in white-ball cricket.
Should he finalize his decision, Kohli’s departure from Tests would not only be the loss of a world-class batsman but also of a fierce competitor and inspirational leader whose passion redefined India’s approach to the format.