India batting great Kohli follows Rohit into test retirement

BENGALURU :India batting great Virat Kohli announced his retirement from test cricket on Monday, bringing down the curtain on a glorious career in the longest format that leaves a huge void in the team just days after captain Rohit Sharma ended his red ball career.

Kohli, who made his debut in 2011 and scored 30 centuries and 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 over 123 tests, is likely to remain available for one-day international selection after helping India win their third Champions Trophy this year.

The 36-year-old quit Twenty20 Internationals immediately after India won their second World Cup in West Indies last year but will continue to represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Prmeier League.

Local media churned at the weekend with speculation Kohli was set to quit red ball cricket and he confirmed the news on social media early on Monday.

"It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on," Kohli wrote.

"It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life.

"There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever."

While Kohli's final test wrapped up a 3-1 series loss to Australia in January that saw his team relinquish the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, he will be remembered most for his spell as captain between 2014-2022.

Kohli won 40 of his 68 tests in charge of India to become the country's most successful skipper in the format and sits fourth in the list of captains with the most test victories.

Only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) won more tests as