New Delhi: The former captain of the Indian Cricket Team Virat Kohli announced his Test Cricket retirement on Monday thanks to an article on social networks, concluding a 14 -year career in the format. The 36 -year -old cricket player, who made his test debut in 2011, played 123 games for India, scoring 9,230 points with 30 centuries with an average of 46.85.Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambir, who played alongside Kohli for Delhi and the national team, shared a message on social networks recognizing Kohli’s retirement.“A man with the passion of lion! I will miss my cheeks …”, wrote Gambir.Kohli made this announcement on his Instagram page, addressing speculation on his future in the format that intensified after the recent tour in Australia.“I move away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people with whom I shared the field, and for each person who made me feel along the way,” said Kohli.“It’s been 14 years that I have not worn ample blue in test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the trip that this format would take me. He tested me, shaped me and taught me the lessons I would wear for life,” he added.
During his mandate, Kohli led India to the number one position in the test ranking and won a historic serial victory in Australia in 2018-2019.Kohli will continue to play an international day, after having moved out of the T20 internationals last year after contributing to the victory of the T20 World Cup in India in the Caribbean.His last series of tests in Australia was relatively moderate, with a single century. He concluded his career unless the milestone of 10,000 points, which was once considered to be achievable.“There is something deeply personal to play in whites. The calm grinding, the long days, the little moments that nobody sees but who stay with you forever,” said Kohli in his farewell message.
“While I move away from this format, it is not easy-but it feels good. I gave it everything I had, and it gave me much more than I could have hoped. I will always come back to my test career with a smile,” he concluded.Kohli’s test career statistics include seven double centuries, the highest for an Indian player, going beyond the legends of Sunil Gavaskar cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid.Its impact on test cricket was significant at a time when the T20 leagues dominated sport, helping to maintain the interest of fans in the traditional format. The legend of the sir viv richards cricket, to whom Kohli was often compared for his aggressive style, recognized this contribution.
