Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, marked the end of an era in Indian cricket. His departure from the longest format was met with heartfelt tributes from players, fans, and fellow cricketers alike, all praising his contributions to the game and the impact he had, not only on his team but also on the entire cricketing world.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, a 21-year-old budding cricketer, paid a touching tribute to Kohli, calling him “a true torchbearer” who revitalized the love for Test cricket. Kohli’s legacy, according to Reddy, is rooted in how he breathed fresh life into the format, rekindling the passion for it in a generation that was becoming more inclined toward T20 cricket.
On social media, tributes poured in from across the cricketing world. Shubman Gill, who is poised to take over as India’s Test captain during their tour of England in June, shared a powerful message. Reflecting on how Kohli had inspired him from a young age, Gill expressed admiration for the way Kohli brought intensity and energy to the game, a trait that redefined Test cricket. Gill promised to carry forward Kohli's legacy with the same fire and commitment that Kohli instilled in his teammates. “I know how much Test cricket meant to you, and I hope our generation can carry forward that same fire,” Gill wrote.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young opening batsman, also expressed how Kohli’s passion for Test cricket inspired him to fall in love with the format. Jaiswal recalled watching Kohli and Rohit Sharma play and how it fueled his dreams of representing India. He noted that Kohli’s impact on Indian cricket, particularly on the Test format, was immeasurable. Having had the privilege to share the field with Kohli, Jaiswal treasured the experience and regarded it as a moment that he would cherish forever.
Kohli’s Test career, spanning 123 matches, saw him score 9,230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85. But beyond the numbers, Kohli’s influence on Indian Test cricket was immense. When he took over the captaincy in 2014, following MS Dhoni’s resignation, he transformed the Indian team into world beaters, leading them to victories across the globe and making India one of the most successful touring teams in Test cricket. Under his leadership, India won 40 of the 68 Tests he captained, a remarkable achievement that solidified his place as one of the greatest Test captains in the game’s history.
Kohli’s leadership also nurtured India’s fast-bowling department, which became one of the most potent in the world. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav flourished under his guidance, contributing to some of the most successful years in Indian Test cricket between 2018 and 2021. His team’s aggressive mindset, coupled with a desire to win at all costs, set a standard for future generations of cricketers.
In many ways, Virat Kohli’s retirement marks the end of a chapter that changed the landscape of Test cricket, particularly in India. His legacy as a player, leader, and inspiration to millions of young cricketers will continue to live on.
