Why Did Virat Kohli Conclude His Test Retirement Message With '#269'?

Indian cricket team star batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Tests on Monday with an emotional message on social media. Reports regarding Virat's retirement has been doing the rounds in the recent past with some claiming that he was asked by BCCI to reconsider his stance. However, Kohli decided to announce his decision just ahead of the Test series against England in June. In the message posted by Kohli, he concluded by saying "#269, signing off" - something that left the internet intrigued. The number 269 referred to Virat's cap number as he was the 269th player to represent India in Tests.

Kohli, who admitted that it wasn't an easy call to make, turned up in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9230 runs with 30 hundreds at an average of 46.85.

"I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude - for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way," Kohli announced on his instagram page, putting an end to incessant speculation about his future in the format that peaked after the tour of Australia earlier this year.

VIRAT KOHLI RETIRED FROM TEST CRICKET pic.twitter.com/qB3inVoUtz

Since making his debut in 2011, Kohli captained India to the world number one position in the format and fetched a historic series triumph in Australia in 2018-19.

He will now only play in ODIs, having already retired from T20 Internationals last year after playing a significant role in India's T20 World Cup win in the Caribbean.

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

The megastar's last Test