Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer and former captain, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday.
Following reports that Kohli had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his intention before to the five-match Test series against England next month, the decision was made.
“I have worn the baggy blue in Test cricket for the first time in fourteen years. To be honest, I had no idea the path this format would lead me down. It has put me to the test, molded me, and taught me lifelong lessons,” Kohli wrote on Instagram.
Playing in whites evokes a really personal feeling. The long days, the quiet grind, and the little moments that nobody notices but that stick with you forever. It’s difficult for me to leave this format, but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I’ve had, and it’s returned far more than I could have imagined.
“I’m leaving with a heart full of appreciation for the game, the teammates I played with, and everyone who helped me feel like I was seen along the road. I will always grin when I think back on my Test career. “Signing off, #269,” he continued.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have withdrawn from the game’s longest format in less than a week, leaving the Indian squad lacking in batting experience.
India’s red-ball comeback during the last ten years has been largely attributed to Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011. India is now a strong Test team both domestically and internationally thanks to his aggressive captaincy, prolific batting, and unparalleled intensity.
With 9230 runs in 123 games at a remarkable average of 46.85, 30 hundreds, and 51 half-centuries, Kohli will say goodbye to his Test career. After Steve Waugh (41 victories), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Graeme Smith (53 wins), he puts up his spikes as the fourth-most successful Test skipper overall.
After Rahul Dravid (36), Sunil Gavaskar (34), and Sachin Tendulkar (51 hundreds), Kohli is the fourth-most successful Indian batsman with 30 Test hundreds. Additionally, Kohli achieved the most Test double hundreds of any Indian with seven. Gavaskar (11 centuries) is well behind his 20 tons, making him the Indian skipper with the most Test hundreds.
Following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup last year, the right-handed batsman had earlier declared his retirement from the T20I format. The 36-year-old will now only play for India in One-Day Internationals.
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