Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, In a historic moment for Indian cricket, two modern-day legends — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—announced their retirement from Test cricket in 2025. This emotional farewell marks the end of a golden era, not just for Indian cricket but for the sport globally. Their joint retirement has sent waves of nostalgia across fans, teammates, and cricket pundits alike of Virat Kohli.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into their careers, achievements, impact on Test cricket, the legacy they leave behind, and what their retirement means for Indian cricket.
The Announcement That Shook the Cricketing World
On a calm morning in June 2025, the BCCI issued a joint press release confirming that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would retire from Test cricket following the completion of India’s home series against South Africa. While speculation had been brewing for months about their future, the decision to retire together came as a bittersweet surprise.
The duo addressed the media together, sharing heartfelt memories, emotions, and gratitude toward fans, family, and teammates. It was more than just a press conference—it was a celebration of their illustrious journeys.
Virat Kohli in Test Cricket: A Stalwart of Modern Era
Debut: June 20, 2011, vs West Indies
Matches Played: 123
Runs Scored: 9,230
Centuries: 30
Average: 46.85
Highest Score: 254*
Virat Kohli redefined consistency, aggression, and passion in red-ball cricket. From his debut in 2011 to his final Test in 2025, Kohli remained a pillar of India’s batting lineup.
Key Contributions:
- Transformed Indian Test Team into a world-beating side across conditions.
- Led India to historic Test series wins in Australia (2018-19) and a drawn series in England (2021).
- One of the fittest and most disciplined cricketers in modern history.
- Iconic Rivalries: Especially memorable were his battles with bowlers like James Anderson, Pat Cummins, and Kagiso Rabada.
Virat Kohli test retirement date and time
On 12 May 2025, Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from the Test format. This occurred just prior to India’s England tour. He has a history of success on England tours, so it was a matter for concern. Additionally, he was only 770 runs away from reaching the enormous milestone of 10,000 Test format runs.
Click to see Virat Kohli Batting Career Summary…
Rohit Sharma in Test Cricket: A Late Bloomer Who Shined Bright
Debut: November 6, 2013, vs West Indies
Matches Played: 67
Runs Scored: 4,301
Centuries: 12
Average: 40.79
Highest Score: 212
Though Rohit Sharma made his Test debut two years after Virat Kohli, his journey was no less inspiring. Known for his elegance, timing, and poise, Rohit became India’s most reliable opener in the latter part of his Test career.
Key Contributions:
- Dominated at home conditions with stunning performances against England and South Africa.
- Captaincy Excellence: Led Indian team 2022 to 2025 and he get 3 ICC Trophy.
- Versatility: Transitioned from a middle-order batsman to a successful Test opener.
Click to see Rohit Sharma Batting Career Summary…
End of an Era: What This Means for Indian Cricket
With both Kohli and Rohit retiring, India bids goodbye to over 25,000 combined Test runs, multiple match-winning performances, and an unmatched cricketing aura.
The Impact:
- Leadership Void: Finding successors with similar leadership skills and temperament will be a challenge.
- Experience Gap: Young batters will need to step up and take charge under pressure situations.
- Global Attention: India’s Test matches may lose some of their commercial appeal without two of their biggest stars.
The Legacy They Leave Behind
Kohli’s Legacy:
- One of India’s most successful Test captains.
- Global ambassador of Test cricket who inspired a new generation.
- Set fitness benchmarks and professionalism for younger players.
Rohit’s Legacy:
- Proved that patience pays off in Test cricket.
- Brought calmness to the top order.
- Demonstrated how to adapt to different formats with excellence.
Their partnerships, camaraderie, and mutual respect will be remembered as one of the strongest bonds in Indian cricket history.
Memorable Moments in Test Cricket
1. Kohli’s 141 at Adelaide (2014):
Even though India lost, Kohli’s fighting century made it one of the most thrilling Test matches ever.
2. Rohit’s Twin Centuries vs South Africa (2019):
Silenced critics who questioned his place as an opener in Tests.
3. WTC Final 2021 – Rohit and Kohli Together:
Both batted valiantly, though India fell short. The image of them walking off together is now symbolic.
4. Series Win in Australia (2018-19):
Under Kohli’s captaincy, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia.
The Farewell Test: An Emotional Goodbye
Their farewell Test at Eden Gardens against South Africa was nothing short of poetic. Fans flocked from across the country. Chants of “Kohli, Kohli!” and “Rohit, Rohit!” echoed in unison. While Kohli scored a fluent 88 and Rohit scored 61, the final lap around the ground brought tears to many.
Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket in 2025: End of an Era in Indian Cricket
What’s Next for Kohli and Rohit?
1. IPL & ODI?
Both have hinted they may continue in shorter formats like IPL 2025 and T20Is for a brief period.
2. Mentorship Roles:
They are likely to be involved in mentoring the next generation through coaching or advisory roles.
3. Cricket Administration or Commentary:
With their sharp cricketing acumen, media and BCCI roles could be potential avenues.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
- Sachin Tendulkar: “Two giants of Indian cricket. Their contribution will be cherished forever.”
- Ricky Ponting: “Kohli’s intensity and Rohit’s elegance—Test cricket will miss them dearly.”
- Rahul Dravid: “It’s rare to see such class and consistency. Privileged to coach them.”
Future of Indian Test Cricket: Who Will Fill Their Shoes?
India is rich in talent, and while no one can truly replace Kohli and Rohit, names like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sarfaraz Khan are expected to take the baton forward.
Possible New Leaders:
- KL Rahul or Jasprit Bumrah could take over Test captaincy.
- The focus will now shift to building a solid core for the next WTC cycle.
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Final Thoughts
The retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket in 2025 marks not just the end of careers—it marks the conclusion of a golden chapter. Their journey was filled with passion, resilience, leadership, and unforgettable cricketing brilliance.
Their names will forever be etched in the annals of Indian cricket. They didn’t just play the game—they defined it for an entire generation.
FAQs
Q1. Why did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire from Test cricket together?
A: They made a joint decision to retire after evaluating their form, fitness, and the need to give younger players opportunities in the Test format.
Q2. Will Kohli and Rohit continue in IPL and ODI?
A: Yes, both have indicated they may continue in IPL and ODI cricket for a limited period.
Q3. Who is likely to replace Kohli and Rohit in the Indian Test team?
A: Promising players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are strong contenders.
Q4. How many centuries did Kohli and Rohit score in Test cricket?
A: Kohli scored 30 centuries, while Rohit Sharma scored 12 Test centuries.
Q5. Will they take up coaching or commentary after retirement?
A: While nothing is confirmed, both players are expected to stay connected to cricket through mentorship, coaching, or media roles.
