Overview

• Virat Kohli officially retired from Test cricket on May 9, 2025, concluding a career spanning 123 matches with 9,230 runs at an average over 46.
• Kohli’s tenure as captain redefined India’s Test identity, emphasizing aggression and a fearless approach, particularly in overseas matches.
• Peers and pundits, including Ravi Shastri and Ian Chappell, credit Kohli with reshaping India’s cricketing culture and psychological outlook.
• Kohli’s decision to retire follows recent struggles with form and mental fatigue, as well as the parallel retirement of Rohit Sharma.
• The BCCI now faces the challenge of selecting a new Test captain as Kohli shifts his focus to ODIs and the IPL.