Overview

• Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, ending a career of 123 matches and 9,230 runs in the format.
• He top-scored with 43 off 35 balls in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s six-run win over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final at Bengaluru.
• Kohli finished the season with 657 runs at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, registering eight half-centuries—the most by any batter.
• In his first public remarks since stepping away from Tests, he described an IPL trophy as “five levels under Test cricket” and urged young players to honour the format.
• He stressed that excelling in Test cricket earns unmatched respect worldwide and encouraged newcomers to give it their heart and soul.