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IIE EIGITAL DESK : The moment that has brought both admiration and heartbreak to the cricketing world, Virat Kohli, one of the greatest modern-day batsmen and former Indian captain, has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket. Known for his fierce competitiveness and passion for the longest format of the game, Kohli revealed in a heartfelt statement that stepping away “wasn’t easy,” but that “it feels right.”

Kohli made the announcement via a personal video message shared on his social media platforms, just a day after India’s latest Test series concluded. While fans had anticipated that he might reduce his commitments, few expected the 36-year-old to completely walk away from a format that he so visibly cherished and championed.

“I’ve always said that Test cricket is the purest form of the game,” Kohli said in his announcement. “It has tested me, shaped me, and given me everything I could dream of as a cricketer. Walking away from it is not easy. But somewhere deep inside, I knew the time had come.”

Kohli leaves behind a glittering Test career that spans 113 matches, over 8,800 runs, 29 centuries, and an average above 49. More than the numbers, however, it was Kohli’s intensity and desire to win that transformed India’s Test side. Under his leadership, India not only reached the pinnacle of the ICC Test rankings but also achieved historic victories on foreign soil — including their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018–19.

Taking over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014, Kohli led India in 68 matches, winning 40 — the most by any Indian captain. His era saw the emergence of a strong pace attack, an uncompromising attitude toward fitness, and a belief that India could dominate in any condition, against any team. His aggressive leadership style, while sometimes polarizing, was undeniably effective.

In recent years, Kohli had stepped away from white-ball captaincy and then from Test captaincy in 2022. Yet, even after relinquishing the leadership role, he continued to contribute with the bat and inspire with his presence. His century at the Oval in 2023 against England was a reminder that the fire still burned bright.

But according to close sources, Kohli had been contemplating this decision for several months. A combination of personal priorities, changing team dynamics, and the mental toll of two decades in professional cricket influenced his choice.

Tributes poured in from around the globe as news of his retirement spread. India head coach Rahul Dravid called Kohli “the heartbeat of Indian Test cricket for a decade,” while Sachin Tendulkar said, “Virat carried forward the legacy of Indian cricket with pride, passion, and purpose.”

Among fans, there was a mixture of sadness and gratitude. For many, Kohli represented not just excellence but defiance — a player who wore his heart on his sleeve and never backed down from a challenge. His iconic battles against bowlers like James Anderson, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins defined modern Test rivalries.

Kohli also used his retirement note to encourage younger players to keep valuing Test cricket. “In a world that’s changing fast, I hope our young cricketers continue to love this format the way I did,” he said.

As India now looks ahead to a new era in Test cricket, it does so with the indelible mark left by Virat Kohli — a player who didn’t just play the format but elevated it. While he may no longer don the whites for India, his legacy will echo in every future Indian victory on foreign soil, in every rising cricketer who believes they too can lead the world.

Virat Kohli may have stepped away from Test cricket, but he will forever remain one of its greatest warriors.