“I’m not actually surprised at the decision. But knowing that he’s at peace, I’m happy for him. Knowing Virat, he must have taken a lot of time to call it off. Especially Test cricket. Even with my knowledge, I know and you know how much he loves playing Test matches. So, for him to call it a day, even at his peak, especially when you have fans who’ll urge him to keep playing for another year or so, it’s big. For him to call ‘Alvida’ to the format he loves the most, it must have been difficult for him," said Sunil Chhetri in a chat with Star Sports. 

On Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's sudden retirements, former India captain Anil Kumble said the two senior batters deserved an on-field farewell.

"It is a huge surprise. Two outstanding, great players retiring on the back of few days. I didn't see it coming. It has certainly caught me off guard. I thought he has a few more years left in him, especially at the Test level," Kumble said on Kohli on 'ESPNCricinfo'.

Novak Djokovic also reacted to Virat Kohli's retirement, calling him the GOAT.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC'S INSTAGRAM STORY FOR VIRAT KOHLI. pic.twitter.com/6K50IMdVcH

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 12, 2025

A day after announcing his retirement from the Test arena, Virat Kohli reached Vrindavan with his wife Anushka Sharma. The couple call on renowned spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj at Vrindavan Dham to seek his blessings.

That is all we have for this one. A glittering career that should not be remembered for the 770 runs that were missed, but for the 9,230 runs that were scored and the countless moments that will keep coming back as doses of nostalgia. From all of us at NDTV Sports, to Virat Kohli, thank you.

For a man who is regarded by many as the greatest batter of his generation, Kohli's legacy in Test cricket far surpasses his legacy just as a batter. Kohli the captain, Kohli the man who championed Test cricket and made it fun to watch for a generation that breathed T20 cricket. 40 wins out of 68 matches he captained in. 

In India's all-time Test XI, it would be hard to argue of Kohli's spot as captain.

When asked whether retirement was on Kohli's mind when he came to play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in February, Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh firmly denied it. Here's what he said:

"Not at all, there was no sign of him retiring from any form of cricket because he is coming to play red-ball cricket, so he had no thinking like that. Even at that time, he was talking about the England series with the test matches that are coming."

In a huge revelation, former BCCI selector and the current coach of the Delhi Ranji Trophy team has said that Kohli initially intended to play the England series, and seemed to be motivated to succeed in the upcoming series.

"I asked him if will he would play County cricket before the Test matches. He said he wanted to play two India 'A' matches before the Test series (against England). It was already settled. Suddenly, we hear he will no longer play red ball cricket. There is no fitness issue. No form issue. He got one century in Australia, but he was not satisfied. During the Ranji Trophy, he was saying that he wants to score three-four centuries in England because is the most senior player in the team."

England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has congratulated Virat Kohli upon the completion of his Test career, with a short, but sweet, message on Instagram.

Massive shoes to fill for Team India after the departures of Kohli, Rohit and Ashwin. Who are the batters who could come in to the India squad? Sai Sudharsan has been in excellent form in IPL 2025, and seems like a favourite to be picked. Shubman Gill could drop down to No. 4, as could KL Rahul. Sarfaraz Khan may get another shot, and don't rule out domestic run-machines like Abhimanyu Easwaran! Or could we see a return for Cheteshwar Pujara? It's all up in the air.

In the space of just 6 months, and frankly, in rather an abrupt manner, three of Indian cricket's stalwarts have left the longest format of the game. Ashwin retired last December, while Rohit and Kohli - India's last two captains - have retired in the matter of days. Filling their boots will be a huge task, but one that India isn't incapable of.

Greg Chappell is not the most popular man when it comes to Indian cricket, but he has given a grand tribute to Virat Kohli in a column for ESPNcricinfo. Here's a few lines of what he said in his piece.

“Sourav Ganguly gave Indian cricket a new spine. MS Dhoni brought ice-cold leadership and white-ball dominance. But Kohli? Kohli lit the fire."

"Virat Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer we've ever seen. A snarling warrior in whites, never giving an inch, always demanding more. Not just of his bowlers, his fielders, or his opposition — but first and foremost, of himself."

Not only has Virat Kohli's Test retirement drawn in messages across the world of cricket, but even beyond that. Army DGMO Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, former UK PM Rishi Sunak, tennis legend Novak Djokovic and English footballer Harry Kane have all paid tribute to Kohli today.

On Virat Kohli's Test retirement, his greatest Test match contemporary has also congratulated him. Australia star Steve Smith with a line for his long-time rival on the pitch, showing the enormous mutual respect between the two.

Just another example of the fact that Virat Kohli is a global superstar. Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has posted on Instagram, congratulating Kohli on his Test career.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC'S INSTAGRAM STORY FOR VIRAT KOHLI. pic.twitter.com/6K50IMdVcH

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 12, 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have released a tribute video for Virat Kohli.

Illustrious legacy
Inspiring intensity
Incredible icon
The Former #TeamIndia Captain gave it all to Test Cricket
Thank you for the memories in whites, Virat Kohli #ViratKohli | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/febCkcFhoC

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 12, 2025

Shubman Gill, expected to become India's next Test captain, has paid tribute to Virat Kohli following the latter's Test retirement. Will Shubman Gill be the heir in the No. 4 position? Will Gill be able to take the burden and baton from Kohli? Time will tell.

Anything I write for you, paji, will never truly capture what I feel or the impact you've had on me.
From watching you bat when I was 13 and wondering how someone could bring that kind of energy to the field - to sharing the field with you and realizing no one else possibly can... pic.twitter.com/s6LhnPWbNK

— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) May 12, 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, two stallions expected to take the baton from Virat Kohli and take Test cricket forward in India, have penned heartfelt tributes to the 36-year-old on social  media.

The intensity, the passion, the fight - you gave it your all, every single time! All the best for what's ahead, @imVkohli bhai.
#RP17 pic.twitter.com/jeKH5mYogS

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) May 12, 2025

Yuvraj Singh has paid tribute to Virat Kohli as well, labelling him 'King Kohli' in his message on social media. Have a read:

Test cricket brought out the fighter in you and you gave it everything! You played the way greats do, with hunger in your heart, fire in your belly and pride in every stride. Proud of what you've done in whites. Go well King Kohli! @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ydJBA9W1I8

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 12, 2025

A big question on the minds of many now would be who fills Kohli's boots at No. 4 in the Indian Test team? We never had this dilemma when Sachin retired, because Kohli was always there as the natural successor. But who takes Kohli's spot? Shubman Gill could be the chosen one.

And to further emphasize how huge a news Kohli's retirement is, former Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, who is of Indian origin, has expressed his sadness at the fact that Kohli won't tour England for the Test series in June.

Sad we won't get to see @imVkohli one last time this summer.
He has been a legend of the game: a superb batsman, an astute captain and a formidable competitor who always understood the true value of Test cricket.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 12, 2025

Virat Kohli's close friend and former RCB teammate AB de Villiers has also paid tribute to him after his Test retirement. Kohli and de Villiers shared a great bond as teammates, which grew stronger during their 11 years at RCB.

Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025

Not only has Kohli's retirement sent shockwaves around the cricketing fraternity, his retirement has also been acknowledged by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai. Have a listen to what he said:

#WATCH | Delhi | DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai says, "Targetting our airfields and logistics is way too tough... I saw that Virat Kohli has just retired from test cricket; he is one of my favourites. In the 1970s, during the Ashes between Australia and England, two... pic.twitter.com/B3egs6IeOA

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025

It’s official – the end of an era.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli retire together from both T20 & Test formats. 🇮🇳
Indian cricket will miss them dearly, and no one can replace their legacy.#ViratKohli | #RohitSharma | #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/Hkn3lXOFFp

— Indian Cricket Team (@incricketteam) May 12, 2025

Rajkumar Sharma sir got emotional when he was talking about Virat Kohli's Test retirement.
- This is Heartbreaking.
pic.twitter.com/EmGxc23Uny

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 12, 2025

As you retire from Tests, I'm reminded of your thoughtful gesture 12 years ago, during my last Test. You offered to gift me a thread from your late father. It was something too personal for me to accept, but the gesture was heartwarming and has stayed with me ever since. While I… pic.twitter.com/JaVzVxG0mQ

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 12, 2025

Congratulations Virat on an incredible test career. From the time i saw you, knew that you are special. The intensity that you brought and the sheer passion with which you played Test cricket was a joy to watch. You were a great ambassador of Test cricket and wish you the best… pic.twitter.com/JP9yxQnnWC

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 12, 2025

It was an interesting time for Kohli to take his retirement as India will take on England in a five-match series in June. As a result of this decision, the selectors have the tough task of picking the squad without the experience of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Here's a look at 5 possible cricketers who can replace Virat at No. 4 against England. Read here. 

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,… pic.twitter.com/sYBhJ5HhJI

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 12, 2025

A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025

A career that's a testament to Test cricket's spirit!
Thank You, Virat Kohli! 🇮🇳#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/M3iUaKnbek

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 12, 2025

Virat Kohli's last Test assignment was a largely underwhelming tour of Australia in which he managed just one hundred. He ends his career well short of the 10,000 run mark, which was, at one stage, considered a formality. The right-hander nonetheless signs off as a giant of the format with seven double hundreds, the highest for an Indian and well ahead of the iconic duo of Sunil Gavaskar (4), Sachin Tendulkar (6), Virender Sehwag (6) and Rahul Dravid (5).

From 2016 to 2018, Virat Kohli enjoyed a golden run in Tests, averaging over 75 for two consecutive years and scoring 14 of his 30 hundreds in these three years. His form dipped considerably in the past four of years and he stepped down from captaincy in 2022 following a series defeat in South Africa.

The walk,
Those shots,
Those expressions,
Those celebrations.
We’ll miss them all. We’ll miss them all. ❤️‍🩹#ThankYouVirat
pic.twitter.com/b9jinS8dDu

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 12, 2025

Thank You, Virat. #269
Test Cricket will never be the same again! pic.twitter.com/7eAYipnzp1

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 12, 2025

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗼𝗵𝗹𝗶!
An era ends in Test cricket but the legacy will continue FOREVER!@imVkohli, the former Team India Captain retires from Test cricket.
His contributions to #TeamIndia will forever be cherished! pic.twitter.com/MSe5KUtjep

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 12, 2025

Tests - 123.
Runs - 9,230.
Average - 46.85.
Hundreds - 30.
Fifties - 31.
Tests as captain - 68.
Wins as captain - 40.
ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED PLAYERS IN INDIAN TEST HISTORY - VIRAT KOHLI.pic.twitter.com/ep8z6M1P5e

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 12, 2025

Virat Kohli also said that the decision to call it quits wasn't an easy one, but it felt 'right' to him. "As I step away from this format, it's not easy – but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for. 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."

"I'LL ALWAYS LOOK BACK AT MY TEST CAREER WITH A SMILE. "#269, signing off," he concluded.

"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. 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," he wrote on social media.

Star India batter Virat Kohli doubled the Monday Blues of all the fans by announcing his retirement from Test cricket. Making his debut in 2011, played a total of 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties.