Latest news with #KohliRetirement
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The heartbeat of a billion: What Virat Kohli meant to India
Virat Kohli's retirement from Tests has left Indian cricket beleaguered and the sporting world gasping in on the heels of captain Rohit Sharma quitting a few days earlier, it adds up to a double whammy for India who embark on a tough tour of England for a five-Test series come June without their two most experienced Sharma, Kohli took to Instagram, where he commands more than 270 million followers, to make his retirement public."As I step away from this format, it's not easy – but it feels right…'' he explained to his disconsolate for Kohli have come in a deluge since: from fellow cricketers, past and present, old and young, and also legends from other disciplines like tennis ace Novak Djokovic and football star Harry Kane, which highlights the sweep and heft of Kohli's global India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, Kohli was fast tracked into international cricket by the then-chairman of selectors, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, against the judgement of others in the cricket establishment."Many in the Indian cricket board felt he was too young but he was scoring heavily in domestic cricket, and the hunger to succeed was palpable in him," recalls example of Kohli's obsessive passion for the sport comes imbued with poignancy. Kohli was playing his second Ranji Trophy match for Delhi. His father passed away suddenly with his team in a crisis. After the funeral, he went back and scored a battling 90. Vengsarkar's approving eye earned Kohli an ODI debut in 2009. At 23, he was the youngest member of India's 2011 ODI World Cup winning team under MS Dhoni. A few weeks later, he made his Test debut in the West Indies. Some months on, the disastrous tour of Australia with his place under threat, Kohli made a gritty maiden century and never looked back. Within a couple of years he established himself as the pre-eminent batter of his and provocative, without a benign muscle in his body, he was as volatile as potassium on water in his early years. He was unafraid to take on the most reputed opponents, often indulging in on-field fracases that sometimes earned him this was not to become his defining identity in cricket. Prolific run-getting in dashing style across formats provided another more compelling dimension and was to take him to the his idol Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013, Kohli, allying unbridled ambition with his abundant skills, grabbed the baton hungrily and went on to sketch one of the most stellar careers in cricket wielded the bat like a Jedi, with great skill and telling thrust to slay opponents, as it were. Coupled with his high-octane persona, his scintillating batting made him a cult hero whose very presence ensured blockbuster box-office returns everywhere he always wore his passion on his sleeve. He was always demonstrative and dramatic on the field but over a period of time, misplaced angst was sublimated into a raging inner pursuit of excellence that took him to dizzying heights. Marriage to film star Anushka Sharma made them the country's foremost power couple, putting both under the glare of even more intense Kohli's outstanding exploits, especially in the first decade of his career, epitomised the emerging India of the 21st century: unabashedly, unrelentingly ambitious, discarding all past demons, willing to take on the best in the achievements across formats are monumental. In ODIs, he is third in run aggregate behind Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakarra, but boasts the best average (57.88) among batters who have played more than 100 games. His ability to win ODI matches in the most daunting run chases is the stuff of folklore, many of his record 51 centuries coming in such pursuit. In T20s, his run aggregate and centuries don't put him the top 5, but he's immortalised himself with incredible knocks, notably 82 not out in a emotion-charged, pulsating match against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2022 World Cup and a vital 76 in the 2024 final against South Africa which helped India win the is also the highest run scorer in the history of the Indian Premier one point, Kohli averaged 50-plus in all three formats, making him the most productive and versatile batter of his era - way ahead of contemporaries Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith. The four were locked in a fascinating, long-running race for batting it appeared he would break all batting records, Kohli's career took an inexplicable downturn. From the start of the pandemic, the flow of runs began to ebb and centuries became a trickle. In his pomp – between 2014 and 2019 – he had been unstoppable, at one time scoring six double centuries in just 18 drought of runs hit him most adversely in Test cricket where his average, from a high of 55-plus in 2019 slumped to the current 46.75. In this period, Kohli also lost the captaincy, though his stellar standing in international cricket remained finishes his Test career with 9,230 runs, which puts him 19th overall in aggregate, and fourth among Indians behind Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar, all of whom finished with a 50-plus average and more centuries. But to judge him only on this yardstick would diminish the massive impact he has had on this format .As captain, Kohli easily hurdles over Gavaskar, Tendulkar and Dravid. In Test cricket, winning 40 of the 68 matches he led in, making him the fourth most successful in the format. In the Indian context, this assumes Himalayan Australia captain Greg Chappell says that Kohli's energy, grit, sense of purpose and aura was "transformative" for Indian cricket. Chappell marks him out as the most influential Indian captain, ahead of even Sourav Ganguly and M S India captain and chief coach Ravi Shastri, who collaborated with Kohli for years, gives first-hand perspective. "Kohli made India into a fighting unit, especially when playing overseas," says Shastri. The lack of ICC and IPL titles according to Shastri, is misleading as an index to his captaincy ability."He always played to win, sought and nurtured fast bowlers to win overseas, demanded high intent and supreme fitness from all players, putting himself in the forefront, not as a backseat driver."For seven years when Kohli and Shastri collaborated, India were in the top three in ICC rankings in all formats almost continuously which is most cherished and significant triumph of this period came in 2018 when India beat Australia in its own backyard in a Test series for the first time is where Kohli had launched himself into batting greatness, scoring 692 runs in four Tests in 2014-15. In 2018, he contributed as captain and batter to break an hitherto unassailable psychological barrier. In 2020 touring Australia, Kohli played only one match (which was lost) returning home for the birth of his child. But India, having overcome the mental barrier two years earlier, went on to win the rubber in a melodramatic see-saw was Kohli's happy hunting ground and his last visit Down Under in late 2024 grabbed worldwide attention. He began with a roar, hitting a century in the first test at Perth. But his form fizzled out alarmingly and made only 190 runs in the five much this contributed to his decision to retire is moot. Advancing years, the dislike of being constantly under harsh scrutiny, wanting to be close to his young family and behind the scene shenanigans that abound in Indian cricket have doubtless played a part ends his retirement post on Instagram enigmatically. "I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269 signing off," he wrote. The greatest ambassador for the five-day format in the last decade and a half had moved into the BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Washington Post
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
"You changed mindsets": How cricket reacted to Kohli's test retirement
Virat Kohli's retirement from test cricket drew tributes from across the game for the India superstar, with former opponents, teammates and officials insisting his impact should be measured not just by his numbers but how he changed his country's attitude toward the longer format. Kohli brought a 14-year test career to a close on Monday.
Al Jazeera
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
What to know about Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket
After 14 years playing Test matches, Virat Kohli is retiring from the national team as one of the immortals of Indian 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,' Kohli wrote on Monday in his Test retirement social media post. '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,' he added. Here is all to know about the retirement of India's hugely impactful batter and captain: Kohli's declining form in the five-day format of cricket may have prompted his decision to call it a day. After averaging close to 55 at his peak between 2011 and 2019, he could muster a batting average of just 32.56 over the past 24 months. Kohli's last Test was in Sydney in January when India lost the match, and with it the series 3-1, to Australia. Apart from an unbeaten century in the second innings of the first Test in Perth, Kohli managed just 90 runs from eight innings in the five-Test series. Kohli has previously cited mental fatigue and injuries as other reasons to consider retirement. '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,' Kohli said. Kohli used #269 in his Instagram post while announcing his retirement on Monday. The number denotes Kohli as the 269th player who represented India in Test cricket. Kohli will continue to play for the Indian cricket team in One-Day International (ODI) matches, but with Test match commitments removed from his schedule, he will now have more time to pursue other interests outside of the game. The 36-year-old has an expanding business empire in India. He is an active investor in large-scale fitness, hospitality and clothing companies such as Chisel fitness centre, Rage Coffee, sportswear brand One8, WROGN menswear brand and Blue Tribe, to name just a few. He is also a global brand ambassador for multiple international companies, including Puma, Audi and Vivo. Unlike many top cricketers, Kohli has not indicated that he will pursue a cricket commentary career, but he has repeatedly talked about giving back to the game in some form, with coaching a possible option in the future. In December 2024, it was widely reported that Kohli was planning to leave India and settle in London with his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, and their two children, daughter Vamika and son Akaay, according to his childhood cricket coach Rajkumar Yadav, who hinted at the impending move in an interview with Hindi newspaper Dainik Jagran. It has been reported that Kohli's net worth is about 96 million pounds ($126m) from salaries, businesses and endorsement deals. Married to a Bollywood star, Kohli has 271 million followers on Instagram and 67.8 million on X – making him one of the most followed sports stars on the planet. His popularity has been a key factor behind cricket's return to the Olympics at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, the organisers acknowledged last year. Greg Chappell, former Australia captain: 'Kohli redefined expectations, challenged conventions, and symbolised the self-assured, unapologetic India of the 21st century,' Chappell said in a piece on ESPN CricInfo. 'His departure leaves not only a statistical void but a seismic shift in energy – for there has never been another quite like him. 'No Indian captain had ever marshalled a team to such commanding overseas dominance. And no batter since Tendulkar had so unequivocally ruled in every continent.' Jasprit Bumrah, India bowler: 'From making my Test debut under your captaincy to reaching new heights together for our country, your passion and energy will be missed but the legacy you leave behind remains unmatched.' Sanath Jayasuriya, former Sri Lanka captain: 'While the world celebrates your cricketing brilliance and records, what I admire most is your unwavering commitment to fitness and the sacrifices you've made behind the scenes.' Yashasvi Jaiswal, India's opening batsman: 'The impact you've had on test cricket, and on cricket in India as a whole, is immeasurable. To have had the chance to share the pitch with you – someone I looked up to for so many years – was more than just a privilege; it was a moment I'll carry with me forever.'
CNN
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
India great Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
Virat Kohli, one of India's greatest ever players, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. '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,' Kohli wrote on Instagram. '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.' After making his Test debut for India in 2011, Kohli quickly became one of the most proficient batters in world cricket. He scored his first Test hundred in Adelaide, Australia, in 2011 before becoming captain of the team shortly afterwards. During his time leading India, he had 40 wins from 68 Tests, making him the winningest Indian men's captain in the five-day format. The 36-year-old retires as the fourth-most successful Test captain in terms of wins behind South Africa's Graeme Smith (53) and Australia's Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41). Outside of his captaincy, Kohli was a potent run-scorer for the Indian Test side. He retires with 9,230 runs from 123 Tests to his name, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties at an average of 46.85. His 30 centuries are the fourth-most by an Indian player. Kohli had already retired from the T20 format of cricket, having done so after India won the T20 World Cup last year. Kohli's decision comes just days after India's Test captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
India great Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
India great Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The 36-year-old stands fourth in India's all-time list of Test run scorers. His decision comes just days after Rohit Sharma, who succeeded Kohli as skipper, also retired from the game's longest format - and before India start a five-match Test series against England on 20 June. In a post on Instagram, Kohli said his decision to step away was "not easy - but it feels right". Kohli, who made his debut in the red-ball format in 2011, scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, establishing a batting average of 46.85. He also led India in 68 Test matches and became his country's most successful captain with 40 Test wins. Confirming his retirement, Kohli said: "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. "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." Read more from Sky News: Kohli added: "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." Former India cricket player Irfan Pathan hailed Kohli's "phenomenal Test career". "As captain, you didn't just win matches - you changed mindsets," he posted on X. "You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard. A true torchbearer of modern Indian Test cricket."
