Virat Kohli, one of Indian cricket’s most iconic figures, has officially stepped away from Test cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable chapter in the sport’s longest and most traditional format.

Across 123 Test matches, Kohli scored a stellar 9,230 runs, maintaining an average of 46.85. His consistent performances over the years have earned him a place among India’s greatest red-ball players.

Virat Kohli Announces Retirement

In an Instagram post, the player announced his retirement from test cricket format. It read, “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.”

He added, “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. 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.”

Why Did Virat Kohli Write The Number 269?

269 is the cap number allotted to Virat Kohli- the reason why he wrote: “#269, signing off” on Instagram while announcing his retirement from test cricket on Instagram.

A Journey That Redefined Leadership

Kohli debuted in Test cricket in 2011 against the West Indies. By 2014, he had taken on the mantle of captain, and went on to lead the Indian Test team in 68 matches — the highest for any Indian skipper. Under his leadership, India faced defeat in just 17 games, keeping his loss percentage at 25%.

With 40 wins and 11 draws, Kohli’s 58.82% win rate makes him the most successful Test captain India has ever produced. His crowning moment came in 2019, when he led India to a historic Test series win in Australia — a feat no previous Indian captain had achieved.

Kohli played his final Test match earlier this year in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India fell short in that match, losing by six wickets, with Australia clinching the series 3-1.