BCCI breaks silence on Virat Kohli's sudden Test retirement

Virat Kohli (Photo: Screenshot)

Virat Kohli drops retirement bombshell | Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket

Poll How do you feel about the future of Indian Test cricket without Kohli? Excited, a new era begins Neutral, cricket goes on Concerned, he was a key player Optimistic, new talents will emerge

Virat Kohli , India's star batter, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday after a remarkable 14-year career. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) acknowledged his departure from the longest format of the game, where he amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85.The BCCI expressed their gratitude on social media platform X, stating: "Thank You, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket, but the legacy will continue forever! @imVkohli, the former Team India Captain, retires from Test cricket. His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished!"Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The ICC also shared their tribute on X: "Whites off, crown intact. Virat Kohli bids goodbye to Test cricket, leaving behind an unmatched legacy."Kohli shared his retirement decision on Instagram: "It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life. There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever."He continued: "As I step away from this format, it's not easy -- but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for. I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude -- for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off."Kohli finishes as India's fourth-highest run-getter in Test cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs). His career statistics include 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings, with a highest score of 254 not out.His Test journey began in June 2011 against West Indies, and despite a challenging start with just 76 runs in five innings, he quickly established himself with significant performances.Kohli's rise in Test cricket commenced with his maiden century against Australia at Adelaide in 2012, scoring 116 runs. During this tour, he emerged as India's top scorer with 300 runs in four Tests while established players struggled.Between 2011 and 2015, he accumulated 2,994 runs in 41 Tests at an average of 44.03, including 11 centuries and 12 fifties.His prime years were from 2016 to 2019, where he scored 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an impressive average of 66.79, with 16 centuries and 10 fifties. This period included seven double centuries, setting a record for most double hundreds by a Test captain.The 2020s proved challenging for Kohli, managing 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at an average of 30.72, with three centuries and nine fifties. However, 2023 showed improvement with 671 runs in eight Tests at an average of 55.91.His final Test appearances came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia, where he scored 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, including a century at Perth.Throughout his career, Kohli achieved numerous milestones, including leading India to ICC World Test Championship maces and memorable performances in challenging conditions. Notable achievements include scoring 692 runs with four centuries during the 2014-15 Australia tour and 593 runs in England in 2018.His last Test century at home was against Australia in early 2023 at Ahmedabad, while his final overseas century came against West Indies at Port of Spain in July 2023.

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