Indian cricket supporters were left speechless when Virat Kohli announced his Test cricket retirement ahead of the high-profile India vs England five-match Test series. The unexpected move has made waves not only among the Indian cricket fraternity but around the world, with emotional responses flooding in from all sides. One of the most emotive eulogies was offered by England skipper Ben Stokes, who expressed his respect for the Indian cricket great.
BCCI Retires Virat Kohli's Jersey Number 18
In a record-breaking move, the BCCI has formally retired Virat Kohli’s legendary number 18 jersey from the Test format as a sign of respect. This step attests to the unparalleled legacy that Kohli leaves behind in red-ball cricket. Although he will continue to wear the number in ODIs, no Indian Test player will ever wear the number 18 again.
The BCCI’s decision to retire a jersey number is extremely rare, underlining just how influential Virat Kohli’s Test career has been. From match-saving centuries to fiery leadership, number 18 became synonymous with passion, aggression, and excellence.
Ben Stokes Reacts to Kohli’s Retirement
Reacting to the news, Ben Stokes said in a video posted by England Cricket,
“I believe what India will lose is his fight, competitiveness, and will to win. He’s made number 18 his own, hasn’t he? It will be strange not seeing number 18 on the back of any Indian jersey.”
Stokes and Kohli have been involved in some of the most intense and entertaining Test battles in recent years. Their on-field rivalry was built on passion, energy, and an unspoken respect for each other’s cricketing acumen.
“I texted him saying it’s going to be a shame not playing against him. We both love those battles. It brought the best out of both of us,” Stokes added.
4. Kohli vs England: A Fierce Legacy
Throughout his Test career, Virat Kohli overpowered England time and again, both at home and abroad. Be it his legendary redemption tour of 2018 or quieting critics on England’s hallowed grounds of Lord’s and Edgbaston, Kohli converted boos into a standing ovation with his willow.
With 8 Test centuries and over 1,800 runs against England, Kohli’s performances were more than just numbers—they were moments of pride for Indian fans and a challenge for the opposition.
Stokes acknowledged that Kohli’s legacy will live on:
“He’s been incredible… He earned massive respect, not just in India, but here in England too.”
Indian Cricket in Transition: Gill Takes Charge
The retirement of Kohli, coupled with the departure of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, ends an era for Indian cricket. Therefore, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain.
This represents a huge generational change, with young stars such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh set to lead India in the red-ball game.
While fans are excited about the future, the void left by Kohli’s fierce presence on the Test stage will be hard to fill.
Kohli’s Next Chapter – ICC World Cup 2027
Despite retiring from both Test and T20I formats, Virat Kohli remains committed to One Day Internationals (ODIs). He, alongside Rohit Sharma, aims to represent India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa.
The partnership is presently entirely focused on giving India one final world title before leaving international cricket for good.
Kohli remains to be a powerhouse in white-ball cricket with more than 13,000 ODI runs and counting, and he is likely to lead the future generation of players while chasing a final glory.
Final Thoughts
The retirement of Virat Kohli from Test cricket and the BCCI’s decision to retire jersey number 18 marks the end of a golden chapter in Indian cricket. The emotional reaction from Ben Stokes, one of Kohli’s fiercest on-field rivals, reflects the respect Kohli commands globally.
As Test cricket prepares to move on without one of its modern-day gladiators, Kohli’s spirit, passion, and unmatched energy will remain etched in the memories of fans and foes alike. The jersey may be retired, but the legacy of number 18 will live forever.
