Indian cricket icon and former captain Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, bringing an end to a glorious 14-year career in the longest format of the game.

Kohli reportedly informed the BCCI ahead of India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England. The 36-year-old shared the news on Instagram, reflecting on his journey in whites.

“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,” Kohli wrote.

“There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites… As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had,” he added.

Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 and went on to become a pillar of India’s red-ball resurgence. His aggressive captaincy, consistent run-scoring, and intensity elevated the team’s performance both at home and overseas.

Over 123 Test matches, Kohli scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He also recorded seven double hundreds — the most by an Indian.

As captain, he notched 40 Test wins, making him the fourth-most successful Test captain in history behind Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41).

Kohli’s 30 Test tons rank him behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Rahul Dravid (36), and Sunil Gavaskar (34) among Indian batters. His 20 centuries as captain remain an unmatched feat in Indian Test history.

Kohli had earlier retired from T20 internationals after India’s T20 World Cup win. He will now continue playing only ODI cricket for India.

His departure, alongside Rohit Sharma’s recent Test retirement, marks the end of an era and leaves India facing a leadership and experience gap in red-ball cricket.