In May 2025, Virat Kohli, one of cricket’s most transformative figures, announced his retirement from Test cricket, closing a 14-year chapter that redefined Indian cricket and left an indelible mark on the sport globally. His decision, coming on the heels of captain Rohit Sharma’s retirement and just before a challenging five-match Test series in England, sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
With 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, 30 centuries, and a record as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches, Kohli’s departure from the longest format is not just the end of a career but a pivotal moment for cricket. His influence transcends statistics, embodying a cultural and psychological shift in how India approaches Test cricket and sport itself. This article explores why Kohli matters, examining his legacy as a player, leader, and cultural icon against the backdrop of his Test retirement.
Kohli’s journey in Test cricket began in 2011 against the West Indies, but it was the 2011-12 tour of Australia that marked his arrival. Amid a 4-0 series loss, a 23-year-old Kohli scored his maiden Test century in Adelaide, a 116 that showcased his resilience and flair. By 2014, he was captain, stepping into MS Dhoni’s shoes during another Australian tour. That series saw him amass 692 runs, including twin centuries in Adelaide, signaling the birth of a batting colossus. Over the next decade, Kohli became the heartbeat of Indian Test cricket, his 9,230 runs placing him fourth among India’s all-time run-scorers, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. His seven double centuries, all scored as captain, remain an Indian record, with six coming in a blistering 18-month period between 2016 and 2017. Yet, numbers alone don’t capture his impact.
Kohli’s significance lies in how he reshaped Indian cricket’s identity. Before his era, India’s Test teams were often seen as home-track bullies, dominant on spin-friendly pitches but vulnerable overseas. Kohli changed that narrative. His captaincy, spanning 2014 to 2022, saw India win their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018-19, a feat he repeated in 2020-21 despite personal form struggles. Under his leadership, India topped the ICC Test rankings for 42 months, a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. He instilled a culture of aggression, fitness, and belief, transforming India into a side that could win anywhere. Former coach Ravi Shastri, who worked closely with Kohli, described him as the architect of a “fighting unit” that prioritized pace bowling and supreme fitness, setting new standards for Indian cricket.
His passion for Test cricket, often called the “purest format,” was infectious. In an era dominated by T20 leagues, Kohli championed the grind of five-day cricket. His social media post announcing his retirement spoke of the “quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees,” reflecting a deep personal connection to the format. This passion resonated beyond India. Former England captain Michael Vaughan noted that Kohli’s intensity and commitment did more for Test cricket’s global appeal than any player of his generation. His ability to fill stadiums, as highlighted by England’s Moeen Ali, made Test matches must-watch events, countering the growing dominance of shorter formats.
Kohli’s influence extended beyond the field. He embodied a new, assertive India—psychologically confident and unapologetic. As sports writer Suresh Menon observed, if Tendulkar was the face of an economically self-confident India, Kohli represented a psychologically bold one. His swagger, intensity, and refusal to back down, whether facing hostile Australian crowds or verbal duels with opponents, made him a cult hero. With 272 million Instagram followers, more than any other cricketer, Kohli’s global reach amplified cricket’s return to the Olympics in 2028. His cover drive, described as a “work of art,” and his net sessions, which went viral for their precision, turned him into a spectacle. Yet, his emotional transparency—admitting to mental struggles during a form slump post-2020—humanized him, inspiring fans and young athletes to confront their own challenges.
His retirement, however, comes at a complex juncture. After a peak average of 55.10 in 2019, Kohli’s form dipped, with his average falling to 32.56 over the last 24 months. His final Test series against Australia in 2024-25 yielded just 190 runs at 23.75, prompting speculation about external pressures. Reports suggest a BCCI mandate limiting family stays on long tours to 14 days may have influenced his decision, as Kohli emphasized the grounding role of family in managing the sport’s intensity. This policy, coupled with his reported plans to settle in London with wife Anushka Sharma and their children, hints at personal priorities shifting. At 36, with a business empire spanning fitness, fashion, and hospitality, and a net worth of $126 million, Kohli has avenues beyond cricket to explore.
The timing of his exit, alongside Sharma’s, leaves India at a crossroads. With Ravichandran Ashwin also retired and veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane absent, India’s Test squad for the England series will rely on younger players like Shubman Gill, the likely new captain. Kohli’s absence creates a void—not just in runs but in leadership and aura. Former teammate Harbhajan Singh called his batting “special in intent, intensity, and inspiration,” while BCCI president Roger Binny hailed his ability to inspire a generation to “take pride in the whites.” The challenge now is for India’s next generation to carry his mantle, maintaining the aggressive ethos he embedded.
Critics, however, point to Kohli’s later years as a cautionary tale. His form slump, with only three Test centuries between 2022 and 2025, raised questions about his adaptability. Some, like former cricketer Manoj Tiwary, argued he had “plenty of cricket left” and called his retirement a “brain fade,” suggesting external pressures, including BCCI dynamics, may have forced his hand. Tensions with the board surfaced earlier, notably in 2022 when Kohli stepped down as captain after clashing with BCCI officials. His decision to retire just before the England tour, despite initial reports of the board urging him to reconsider, underscores a complex relationship with cricket’s governing body in India.
Yet, Kohli’s legacy is secure. His 40 Test wins as captain rank him fourth globally, behind only Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh. His 20 centuries as captain dwarf Gavaskar’s 11, and his ability to rally teams in tough conditions—evident in India’s 2021 Gabba triumph—set a benchmark. Nasser Hussain, former England captain, described him as an “ultimate winner” whose drive to win defined his career. Kohli’s retirement may mark the end of his Test journey, but his focus on ODIs, with the 2027 World Cup in sight, and his potential in coaching or mentoring, ensure his influence will endure.
In the backdrop of his Test retirement, Kohli matters because he redefined what it means to be an Indian cricketer. He made Test cricket glamorous in a T20-dominated era, turned India into a global force, and inspired millions with his grit and passion. His departure is a loss, but it also opens the door for a new era—one that will be judged against the towering standards he set. As he walks away, Kohli leaves not just a statistical legacy but a blueprint for excellence, resilience, and unyielding ambition.