India great Virat Kohli retired from test cricket Monday after playing 123 matches in his glorious 14-year red-ball career.
Kohli made his test debut in 2011 against West Indies and has been India's standout batter since Sachin Tendulkar's retirement in 2013.
"As I step away from this format, it's not easy - but it feels right," Kohli posted on Instagram . "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."
The 36-year-old Kohli's retirement comes only days after Rohit Sharma stepped down from test cricket, taking two senior batters out of selection contention for India's tour to England. India will need to select a new skipper and reshape its batting order for the five-test series starting June 20.
Kohli scored 9,230 runs including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries at a test batting average of 46.85. He also led India in 68 test matches and was India's most successful captain with 40 test wins.