Why Virat Kohli Walked Away from Test Cricket Before Reaching 10,000 Runs

New Delhi, 13th May 2025: Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket at the age of 36, ending a distinguished red-ball career that saw him amass 8,230 runs in 113 matches. The decision came just days after Rohit Sharma’s retirement and marks a significant generational shift in Indian cricket.

With his retirement, Kohli exits as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer. Had he continued for another year or two, he was well on track to surpass the 10,000-run mark, potentially becoming India’s third-highest scorer in the format. However, Kohli prioritized personal standards and team evolution over statistical milestones.

5 Key Reasons Behind Kohli’s Test Retirement

1. Dip in Form Post-2019

Kohli last struck a purple patch in 2019, scoring his 27th Test century and averaging nearly 55 in Tests. The COVID-19 pandemic that followed disrupted the international calendar and coincided with a decline in Kohli’s red-ball form. Over the next five years, he could manage only 2,028 runs at a modest average of 31, including just three centuries in 39 Tests.

While pitches became more bowler-friendly post-pandemic, Kohli still maintained an average higher than the global top-7 batters (31.15 vs. 29.87). Despite this, Kohli was unwilling to continue without performing to his own high standards.

2. Gambhir’s No-Star Policy

Kohli’s retirement came under the tenure of new Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who took charge in August 2024. Gambhir had openly stated his intent to end the “star culture” in Indian cricket, emphasizing team performance over individual fame.

Under his leadership, the BCCI imposed new restrictions, such as limiting family presence on long overseas tours—moves that reportedly irked several senior players. Following series defeats against New Zealand and Australia, stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and now Kohli have exited Test cricket.

3. Rohit Sharma’s Exit Sparked Domino Effect

Rohit Sharma, Kohli’s long-time teammate and former captain, retired from Test cricket on 7 May. Within five days, Kohli followed suit. This isn’t the first time both legends retired in tandem—after India’s T20 World Cup win in 2024, both announced their T20 retirements on the same night.

4. Final Hints Came in Australia

Kohli’s final Test series was in Australia earlier this year, where India suffered a 3-1 series loss. He began the tour with a century but struggled in the remaining matches, often falling in the slips to deliveries outside off stump. A poor return of 190 runs in 8 innings led Kohli to privately admit that he no longer saw a future for himself in the format, according to a Times of India report.

5. The World Test Championship (WTC) which started in 2019 is also a big reason for Kohli’s retirement. Because from June 20, Team India’s 5 Test series will start in England. Which is India’s first series in the 2027 WTC, from here Team India’s reaching the final will be decided.

Kohli has said in many interviews that if he feels that he is not able to contribute to the team, then he will retire. He must have felt that to prepare a young team, it is necessary that only a new team gets a chance in WTC. Because he has led Team India to the WTC final twice under his captaincy. When Kohli was no longer the captain, the team could not qualify for the title match. In such a situation, it is possible that Kohli took retirement keeping in mind the future of the team.

Virat Kohli was at number four in India’s top-5 Test run scorers. Kohli was just 770 runs away from 10 thousand runs, if he had scored 893 more runs, he would have also become the third top scorer of the country. Now Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar are the only Indians left who have scored 10,000 runs in Tests.

Except Kohli, when India’s top-5 run scorers retired, their age was 38 years or more. Gavaskar retired at the age of 38, Dravid at 39 and Laxman at 38. Sachin played till the age of 40, not only this, he also scored 9 Test centuries after the age of 36. In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question whether Kohli took Test retirement 2-3 years ago?

Kohli Retired Earliest Among India’s Top Test Scorers

Among India’s top five all-time Test run-scorers, Kohli is the youngest to retire. While Sachin Tendulkar played until 40 and scored nine centuries post-36, Kohli opted not to extend his career beyond a personal peak.

Records Kohli Missed Out On

• 10,000 Test Runs: He ended 1,770 runs short.
• Third on India’s All-Time Runs List: Needed just over 1,200 runs.
• Tendulkar’s Post-36 Century Record: Sachin scored 9 Test tons after 36.
• Most Test Centuries by an Indian Captain: Fell one short of breaking Dhoni’s captaincy record.
• Most Matches for India in All Formats: Kohli retired while still trailing Tendulkar.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, despite being close to major milestones, underscores his commitment to self-discipline and team-first philosophy. His departure, alongside Rohit Sharma and Ashwin, marks the end of a glorious era in Indian cricket. With 29 Test centuries and countless match-winning knocks, Kohli leaves behind a legacy built not just on runs, but on relentless passion and fearless leadership.