The cricketing fraternity paused in collective disbelief on Monday as Virat Kohli, one of the finest batsmen of the modern era, announced his retirement from Test cricket. The 36-year-old ended a glorious 14-year journey in whites, finishing with 123 Tests, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and a legacy that transcends numbers.
The announcement, made through a heartfelt Instagram post, was laced with gratitude, reflection, and a quiet pride in what he achieved for India in the longest format. As news of his retirement broke, tributes began pouring in from all corners of the cricketing world.
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AB de Villiers, Kohli’s longtime friend and RCB teammate, was among the first to respond. “Congrats to my biscotti Virat Kohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend,” the South African great wrote, summing up the emotions of millions.
Sad we won’t get to see @imVkohli one last time this summer.
He has been a legend of the game: a superb batsman, an astute captain and a formidable competitor who always understood the true value of Test cricket.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 12, 2025
Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025
Virat, we’ve shared that era… faced the grind together, lived the long days of Test cricket with pride. Your batting in whites is special — not just in numbers, but in intent, intensity, and inspiration.
Good luck going forward #ViratKohli #TestCricket @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/GSh1Ca6I3G— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 12, 2025
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who witnessed Kohli’s transformation from a fiery youngster to a composed Test giant, penned a moving message: “Virat, we’ve shared that era… faced the grind together. Your batting in whites isn’t just about numbers—it’s about intensity, pride, and relentless hunger.”
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, not always known for open sentiment, shared a brief but affectionate post: “A man with lion’s passion! Will miss u cheeks.”
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Even the ICC Chair, Jay Shah, acknowledged Kohli’s influence, stating: “Thank you for championing Test cricket during the T20 revolution. Your legacy is defined by discipline, fitness, and unwavering commitment.”
A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025
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
The moment marked the end of an era, coming soon after Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin also stepped away from Tests. And in a reflection of Kohli’s global stature, even former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed disappointment that the Indian stalwart won’t be touring England this summer, underlining how deeply Kohli’s presence resonates beyond the boundary ropes.
