The world of cricket was left reeling on Monday when the so-called legend of the game, Virat Kohli, pronounced his exit from the world of Test cricket. His retirement followed an incredible career in Test cricket of 123 games with 9,230 runs and 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries to his name. The former Indian captain’s emotional pronouncement came at 36 years on Instagram as he cut deeply into his extraordinary 14-year spell in the India Test whites. Right away, there was an overabundance of emotional responses to the news from the entire cricket community: teammates, rivals, legends, and admirers all expressed how they wished to thank a player who gave Indian Test cricket an indelible mark.
De Villiers Reacts to Kohli’s Test Retirement
One of the first to respond was Kohli’s close friend and former RCB teammate AB de Villiers, who wrote:
“Congrats on an incredible Test career my biscotti @virat.kohli! Your determination and skill have always inspired me. True legend!”
---Advertisement---Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025
Jhulan Goswami on Kohli’s Presence in Whites
Veteran Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami beautifully captured Kohli’s impact in the longest format:
“There was something special about @imVkohli in whites. It wasn’t just skill — it was intent. He didn’t want to survive; he wanted to dominate. He wanted to win. And in doing so, he gave us 14 years of unforgettable memories. Wishing you the best for the journey ahead.”
Harbhajan Singh Reflects on Kohli’s Intensity
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who shared the dressing room with a young Kohli, posted:
“Virat, we’ve shared that era… faced challenges together and lived the long days of Test cricket with pride. Your batting in whites stood out — not just in numbers, but in intent, intensity, and inspiration. Best wishes for your next chapter. #ViratKohli #TestCricket @imVkohli.”
Gautam Gambhir’s Short but Powerful Tribute
India head coach Gautam Gambhir, under whose leadership Kohli played his final Test stretch, kept it short but heartfelt:
“A man with the passion of a lion! You will be missed,” he wrote on X.
BCCI and ICC Acknowledge the Legacy
Even top cricket administrators acknowledged the void Kohli’s retirement would leave. Jay Shah, President of the BCCI, shared a rare personal message:
“Congratulations @imVkohli on a phenomenal Test career. Thank you for carrying forward the purest format amid the rise of T20 cricket and for setting an exceptional example in discipline, fitness, and commitment. Your speech at Lord’s said it all — you played Tests with heart, patience, and pride.”
