Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has firmly ruled out any possibility of returning to Test cricket, saying he is 'done with it'. The 37-year-old made the statement during the launch event of his sportswear brand one8, where he is a co-founder, held in New Delhi on Sunday.
Humorous exchange at brand launch
At the event, host and comedian Danish Sait pointed out that a pair of shoes from the brand costs Rs 9,230—the same number as Kohli's Test runs. Sait jokingly asked Kohli if he would consider returning to Test cricket to score more runs and boost the product's profitability. In response, Kohli humorously said, 'I would rather undersell, I'm done with it (Test cricket), thank you.'
End of an illustrious Test career
Kohli had announced his retirement from Test cricket in May last year, concluding a 14-year career that saw him dominate in whites across various conditions, regions, and opponents, both as a batter and as captain. In his Test career, Kohli played 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings. His highest score was 254 not out. He is India's fourth-highest run-getter in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).
Dominant prime years
Between 2016 and 2019, Kohli enjoyed one of the strongest batting primes in Test cricket history, amassing 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, with 16 centuries and 10 fifties in 69 innings, including a best of 254 not out. This period also featured seven double centuries, the most by any captain in Test cricket. Kohli remains India's most successful Test captain, with 40 wins in 68 matches, having taken over the reins in 2014 during the tour of Australia after an injury to MS Dhoni.
Emotional homecoming
Speaking to a packed crowd in Dwarka, Kohli reflected on his journey, saying, 'Delhi is the place where everything started for me. I was born in Delhi, my cricket journey started in Delhi, and Delhi will always remain a part of me. So, to be able to launch One8 in Delhi after so many years, a vision, a dream to come true like this, being the co-founder, is something that I always dreamt of. I was not sure it was going to turn into reality, but it's the love of all of you fans over so many years that's got us to this moment.'
