The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended heartfelt congratulations to Virat Kohli on the conclusion of a remarkable Test career, highlighting his lasting influence on Indian cricket through his performance, leadership, and dedication.
Having made his debut in 2011 against the West Indies, Kohli’s 14-year journey in Test cricket comes to a close with 123 appearances, 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Kohli changed the way India approached Test cricket—with intensity, intent, and an unyielding mindset. As skipper, he led the team in 68 matches, winning 40 of them, making him India’s most successful captain in Test history. His leadership saw India climb to the top of the ICC Test rankings, where they stayed for 42 straight months.
Illustrious legacy 🇮🇳
Inspiring intensity 👏
Incredible icon ❤️The Former #TeamIndia Captain gave it all to Test Cricket 🙌
Thank you for the memories in whites, Virat Kohli 🫡#ViratKohli | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/febCkcFhoC
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 12, 2025
One of his earliest statements of intent came in the 2014 Adelaide Test, where he scored 115 and 141 in his first match as captain. India chased a steep target of 364, refusing to play for a draw—a rare approach for a visiting side in Australia. Kohli’s twin centuries in that match made him the first non-Australian since 1961 to do so in Adelaide.
His captaincy era was marked by major overseas wins, including a historic series triumph in Australia in 2018–19—the first by an Asian team. India also secured victories in Sri Lanka and the West Indies, and reached the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021. On home soil, India did not lose a single Test series under his leadership, winning 10 out of 11.
“What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs” – Mr. Roger Binny, President of the BCCI on Virat Kohli
Mr. Roger Binny, President of the BCCI, said: “Virat Kohli’s name will be remembered alongside the finest ever to have graced Test cricket. What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs, but his commitment to excellence in the toughest format of the game. His leadership marked a shift in how India competed overseas—with aggression, belief, and a refusal to settle for second best. He inspired a generation to take pride in the whites, and his impact on Indian cricket will be felt for decades to come.”
Mr. Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, added: “Test cricket found not just an ambassador, but a true guardian in Virat Kohli. He led from the front, drove standards higher, and placed unmatched emphasis on fitness, discipline, and mental toughness. His batting performances—especially in challenging overseas conditions—have become reference points for future cricketers. He retires from this format as India’s most successful Test captain, setting the bar very high for the next generation.”
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