Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket News

As India kicks off a new red-ball era, Shubman Gill takes charge as Test captain with Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Sanjay Manjrekar sees promise in their partnership ahead of the 2025–27 WTC cycle and the England Test series starting June 20.   

Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, has significantly dimmed hopes of him breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic record of 100 international centuries. With 82 centuries to his name—30 in Tests, 51 in ODIs, and one in T20Is—Kohli now has only the ODI format to chase the remaining 18 tons. However, India is scheduled to play just 27 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, possibly extending to 39 matches if India reaches the final. Given Kohli’s age (36) and the limited fixtures, surpassing Tendulkar’s milestone appears highly improbable, making the Master Blaster's record likely unbreakable.

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket at age 36, marking the end of a legendary red-ball career. His decision stems from a dip in form, mental fatigue, age, and a desire to focus on limited-overs cricket and off-field ventures. With over 9,000 Test runs and 68 matches as captain, Kohli leaves behind a historic legacy. His retirement, coming soon after Rohit Sharma’s, symbolizes the end of an era and paves the way for India's next generation. Kohli remains a global icon, with fans eager to see his continued impact in ODIs, T20Is, and beyond the pitch.