Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket. He has informed the BCCI about his decision to step away from the longest format. The BCCI has requested Virat to reconsider his decision.
Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket. He has communicated this decision to the BCCI, which has asked him to reconsider. Just a few days ago, on May 7, 2025, Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma also retired from Test cricket. And now, just three days later, another big player has announced his retirement from Tests. no official statement has been released yet, and the BCCI has asked Virat to reconsider his decision.
Virat Kohli was considered one of the finest Test captains in Indian and perhaps world cricket history. His sudden retirement from Test cricket is a massive shock for Indian cricket and its fans. It will be interesting to see whether this was a decision taken under pressure from the BCCI, or if the board has given senior players like Virat and Rohit the freedom to make such calls, making it purely a personal decision.
While there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact reason behind Virat Kohli’s sudden decision to retire from Test cricket, several possible factors might have influenced one of the greatest modern-era cricketers to take this step.
1. Recent Form
Virat Kohli’s recent Test performances have not been particularly impressive. Though his overall Test average remains a commendable 46.85, it has seen a noticeable dip from being over 50 just a few years ago. Since 2020, Kohli has played 39 Test matches, averaging only 30.72, and has managed to score just three centuries in that period.
For someone once hailed as the “Run Machine,” his form in red-ball cricket has appeared to decline. The 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was especially challenging for Kohli, where he averaged only 23.75, repeatedly getting dismissed outside the off-stump—a technical flaw bowlers exploited consistently. This slump in form could be a major reason behind his retirement from the longest format.
2. Workload Management
Workload could also be a factor, although it’s worth noting that Kohli had already retired from T20 Internationals after the 2024 T20 World Cup, alongside Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. Given that ODIs are relatively less frequent, Kohli’s international commitments are already limited. Apart from the IPL and ODIs, he has little else left to focus on now, making retirement from Tests a logical step for easing workload.
3. Captaincy Changes and a New Team Phase
Stepping Down from Leadership: Kohli was one of India’s most successful Test captains. However, having stepped down from captaincy earlier, he may have felt that his leadership influence within the team had waned.
Team Transition: With Rohit Sharma also retiring from Test cricket, Kohli might have viewed this as a natural point of transition—an opportunity to step aside and allow a younger core to emerge, both in leadership and performance.
A Closer Look at Virat Kohli’s Test Retirement: A Decline in Form Over the Years?
Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket has stirred mixed emotions among fans and analysts alike. While some are shocked, others point out that signs of this decision were visible in his steadily declining performance in red-ball cricket in recent years. Analyzing his year-wise statistics gives us some compelling insights into what may have pushed one of the modern era’s greatest batters toward retirement.
Peak Years of Dominance (2016–2019)
Between 2016 and 2019, Kohli was arguably at his Test peak:
2016: 1,215 runs in 18 innings at a stunning average of 75.9 with 4 centuries, including a career-best 235.
2017: He maintained top form with 1,059 runs at 75.6, including a mammoth 243.
2018: 1,307 runs in 24 innings with an average of 54.5—a standout year during tough overseas tours.
2019: Although he played only 11 innings, Kohli still racked up 608 runs with a massive double-century (254), averaging 67.6.
These were the years when Kohli was dominating world cricket, leading the Indian side from the front, and reinforcing his legacy as a modern-day legend.
The Decline Begins (2020 Onward)
The dip began post-2019:
2020: Just 116 runs in 6 innings at an average of 19.3.
2021: 536 runs in 19 innings with an average of 28.2, with no centuries.
2022: Even lower returns—only 265 runs in 11 innings at 26.5 average.
2023: A short revival—671 runs at 55.9, including two centuries.
2024: Despite playing 19 innings, he managed just 417 runs at 24.5, with only a single century.
2025: In the 2 innings he played this year, he scored just 23 runs, averaging 11.5.
This data clearly shows that from 2020 onward, Kohli’s once-dominant form took a hit. The average consistently remained below 30 (barring 2023), and his conversion rate (centuries per innings) drastically dropped.
Technical and Mental Fatigue?
In recent years, Kohli has struggled particularly with deliveries outside the off-stump, as was evident during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he averaged just 23.75. His dot ball percentage has also seen a rise—84% in 2025 compared to just 54.2% in 2017, suggesting trouble rotating the strike and building momentum.
This may point to not just technical flaws but also possible mental fatigue, often a by-product of long international careers under immense scrutiny.
Limited Opportunities Ahead?
Another reason for the retirement could be the shrinking window of meaningful Test opportunities:
Kohli had already retired from T20 Internationals after the 2024 World Cup.
ODIs have a lighter schedule compared to earlier years.
That left only Test cricket and IPL, and with age catching up, managing fitness and form across formats might have become impractical.
With Rohit Sharma also stepping away from Tests recently, Kohli may have seen this as the right moment to transition and make room for a new generation.
What Next for Indian Test Cricket?
With both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, Indian selectors find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. The selection committee is expected to meet soon to finalize the squad for the upcoming England Test series, and Virat Kohli’s decision is bound to be a central topic of discussion.
The most pressing question now is — who will lead India in Tests going forward?
Shubman Gill in Line for Test Captaincy?
There is growing speculation that Shubman Gill could be considered for the Test captaincy in the absence of both Kohli and Sharma. Gill, who has already been seen as a long-term investment across formats, may be trusted to take charge and usher in a new era of Indian Test cricket.
Still in his mid-20s, Gill has shown maturity beyond his age with the bat and has captained in domestic cricket and the IPL. His elevation to captaincy would align with the team’s likely shift towards building a younger leadership core for the next phase.
Transition or Turbulence?
While the team boasts exciting young talent, the retirement of two stalwarts—both former captains and match-winners—marks the beginning of a challenging transitional phase. The management must now:
Rebuild a solid middle order.
Identify dependable long-format leaders.
Preserve India’s competitive edge, especially overseas.
All eyes will now be on the selectors’ meeting, which could shape not just the immediate series against England, but also the long-term roadmap for India’s Test ambitions.
End of an Era, Dawn of a New One
Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket isn’t just the exit of a player—it’s the closing chapter of an era defined by passion, intensity, and unmatched commitment to the red-ball format. Alongside Rohit Sharma’s departure, it leaves Indian Test cricket at a defining juncture. As the team stares at a future without its two modern-day giants, the transition will demand clarity, courage, and vision.
With fresh names like Shubman Gill emerging as potential leaders, a new legacy is waiting to be written. But filling the shoes of Kohli—the man who made Test cricket fashionable again—won’t be easy. His impact will echo in the dressing room, in overseas battles, and in every young cricketer who dreams of wearing whites with pride.
Indian cricket must now rise to the challenge—not to replace legends, but to build new ones.
FAQ
Q. Is Virat Kohli retiring from the test?
Ans. Virat Kohli informed BCCI to take retirement from Test Cricket and according to reports BCCI want Virat Kohli to rethink about his decision.