source : BCCI
Indian cricket is on the brink of an emotional shift as Virat Kohli prepares to retire from Test cricket. After nearly two decades of redefining modern-day batting, Kohli’s decision reportedly comes ahead of India’s much-anticipated Test tour of England this June. The timing is seismic following Rohit Sharma’s exit from the format leaving fans nostalgic and selectors scrambling for the next torchbearer.
Kohli’s Test legacy is colossal: over 9,000 runs, 30 centuries, and a fearless approach that transformed India into an overseas powerhouse. He wasn’t just a run machine; he was a statement bold, intense, and unapologetically passionate. His captaincy era, especially the 2018 triumph in Australia, remains a defining moment in Indian cricket history. Yet, the numbers don’t fully capture his aura or the fire he brought to every red-ball contest.
Behind this decision lies more than just statistics. Recent dips in form, quiet outings in Australia, and whispers of dressing room unrest may have all played a part. Still, Kohli’s love for the game hasn’t dimmed. “You want to walk away leaving the team better,” he once said, echoing a mindset that always valued legacy over records. And now, he chooses to step away with the same conviction that once made him India’s fiercest warrior.
Global reactions are already pouring in. Michael Clarke called it a loss “only for India,” underlining Kohli’s unmatched value. His fanbase, unmatched in scale and devotion, will surely feel the void not just for the runs, but for the theatre he brought to every innings. In an era of rapid T20 expansion, Kohli stood as a modern titan of Test cricket, refusing to compromise on pride and purpose.
With Kohli and Rohit gone, the baton now passes to a younger generation perhaps led by the likes of Shubman Gill. But it won’t be easy. Kohli’s boots aren’t just big, they’re iconic. His roar, his rituals, his relentless hunger all of it etched into cricket folklore. If this is indeed the end, it’s more than a retirement. It’s the closing chapter of a golden age.
