Congratulating Kohli on his illustrious career in red-ball cricket, Sunak wrote that the 36-year-old batter has been a legend of the game and will be missed by fans on India’s upcoming tour of England.
The former United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed disappointment that fans would not be able to see Virat Kohli in action on the Test tour of England as the former India captain has announced his retirement.
Congratulating Kohli on his illustrious career in red-ball cricket, Sunak wrote that the 36-year-old batter has been a legend of the game and will be missed by fans on India’s upcoming tour of England.
“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,” wrote Sunak, the first Prime Minister of Indian origin for the country who invented cricket, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Sunak is a cricket enthusiast and has enjoyed his interactions with cricketers during his time as British Prime Minister. In March 2023, he hosted the T20 World Cup-winning England men’s team at 10 Downing Street and also played an impromptu garden cricket game with them.
During his tenure as British Prime Minister from October 25, 2022, to July 5, 2024, Sunak announced an investment of 35 million Pounds in grassroots cricket facilities and widening access to the sport within state schools as part of the British government’s move to get one million more young people physically active by 2030.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, pulling the curtains on a 14-year-long tenure during which he played 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs at a batting average of 46.85 and posting 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
The decision came after it was reported that Kohli had communicated his decision to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of next month’s five-match Test series against England.
“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 wrote in his Instagram post.
“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. 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 added.
In less than a week, both Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from the longest format of the game which will leave the Indian team without much experience in the batting department.
Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, has been a cornerstone of India’s red-ball resurgence over the past decade. His aggressive captaincy, prolific batting and unmatched intensity have helped transform India into a formidable Test side both at home and abroad.
Kohli will bid adieu to his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He hangs up his spikes as the fourth-most successful Test captain overall, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins).
Kohli’s 30 Test centuries make him the fourth-most successful India batter, behind Sachin Tendulkar (51 hundreds), Rahul Dravid (36), and Sunil Gavaskar (34). Kohli also made seven Test double hundreds, the most ever by an Indian. He also has the most Test hundreds by an Indian captain, with Gavaskar (11 centuries) way behind his 20 tons.
The right-handed batter previously announced his retirement from the T20I format after India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year. The 36-year-old will now only feature in ODI cricket for India.
