New Delhi, May 12 (UNI) Tributes poured in from across the cricketing fraternity on Monday following Virat Kohli's announcement of his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of a stellar chapter in Indian cricket history.
Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led the tributes, stating, "Congratulations @imVkohli on a stellar Test career. Thank you for championing the purest format during the rise of T20 cricket and setting an extraordinary example in discipline, fitness, and commitment. Your speech at the Lord’s said it all – you played Tests with heart, grit, and pride."
Kohli’s long-time teammate Cheteshwar Pujara called it an "honour" to share the crease with him. "Your passion for the format was inspiring...and it was an honour to share the crease with you over the years, in the heat of many-a-battle, grinding it out for the country!" Pujara posted on X.
Suresh Raina lauded Kohli's passion and leadership, calling him a "legend" whose legacy would live on, while Wasim Jaffer remarked that "Test cricket was never boring with Virat in. His presence alone brought millions of eyeballs."
Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan highlighted Kohli's transformative impact on Indian cricket: "As captain, you didn't just win matches, you changed mindsets. You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard.”
Cricket analyst Aakash Chopra wrote that numbers alone could not define Kohli's Test legacy, while Harbhajan Singh said, "Your batting in whites is special — not just in numbers, but in intent, intensity, and inspiration."
Noted commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed a personal wish: "I would have liked to see #ViratKohli go out of Test cricket before a packed stadium. But... he told a generation weaned on T20 cricket that Test cricket is cool and aspirational."
The BCCI, in a formal post, called it the end of an era: "Thank you, Virat Kohli! An era ends in Test cricket but the legacy will continue FOREVER!”
Among international voices, AB de Villiers called Kohli “a true legend” and Alan Wilkins recalled watching him lead India to the U-19 World Cup title in 2008, saying, “He showed us that Test cricket was to be treasured.”
Kohli retires with over 8,500 Test runs, 29 centuries, and a reign as captain that saw India rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings, including a historic series win in Australia.
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