Overview

• Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, concluding a 14-year career with 123 matches and 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85.
• Kohli’s decision has sparked reflections on his legacy, with former RCB coach Sanjay Bangar calling him a 'giant of his era' and praising the timing of his exit.
• Despite his prolific Test career, Kohli never faced Pakistan in the format due to the suspension of bilateral series since 2007, a gap attributed to diplomatic tensions.
• In white-ball cricket, however, Kohli excelled against Pakistan, scoring 678 runs in ODIs and 488 runs in T20Is, including iconic performances in ICC tournaments.
• Kohli’s retirement has also fueled speculation about his relationship with the BCCI, with reports of unfulfilled promises of Test captaincy potentially influencing his decision.