Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket: The End of an Era for Indian Cricket

Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket: The End of an Era for Indian Cricket

            Indian cricket fans around the world are bidding farewell to a modern legend — Virat Kohli, who has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket. Revered for his aggressive style, match-winning abilities, and transformative leadership, Kohli’s departure marks the end of a golden chapter in India’s red-ball cricket history.

                Career Overview: Numbers That Speak Loud

               Kohli stands 5th in the list of highest run-scorers for India in Test cricket, behind only Tendulkar, Dravid, Gavaskar, and Laxman. His seven double centuries are the most by any Indian in Tests and the fourth-most in world cricket.

Virat Kohli: The Captain Who Changed Indian Test Cricket

Before Kohli took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014, India’s overseas Test performances were inconsistent. Under Kohli’s leadership:

India won their first-ever Test series in Australia (2018–19)

Reached the ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021

Went unbeaten at home for 8 years

Reclaimed and held the No. 1 ICC Test Team ranking for 42 months

His aggressive, fitness-driven culture instilled mental resilience and professionalism in the team, building a pace attack that could win Tests abroad — a rarity for India before his era.

Signature Moments in Kohli’s Test Career

1. 119 at Johannesburg (2013) – His first Test century in South Africa under testing conditions.

2. 141 vs Australia (Adelaide 2014) – A fearless knock that almost pulled off an impossible chase.

3. 200 vs West Indies (2016) – His maiden double century.

4. 254 vs South Africa (2019)* – His highest individual Test score.

5. Series win in Australia (2018-19) – Historic captaincy feat.

Comparison with Other Greats

A comparison line chart of Kohli’s Test stats with Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, and Joe Root.

Fan Reactions: A Nation Mourns, Celebrates

Virat Kohli didn’t just play Test cricket — he redefined it. From fitness benchmarks to mental toughness and leadership transformation, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

The whites may be folded away, but the memories he created will never fade. Thank you, King Kohli, for the runs, the roars, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

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PBKS vs LSG Match : 54

Punjab Kings Crush LSG by 37 Runs, Climb to Second in IPL 2025 Points Table

Dharamsala, May 4, 2025 — Punjab Kings (PBKS) delivered a commanding performance to defeat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 37 runs in a high-octane clash at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. The victory propelled PBKS to second place on the IPL 2025 points table, keeping their playoff hopes firmly alive.

After winning the toss, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant opted to bowl first, but it was Punjab’s night from the start. Opener Prabhsimran Singh stole the spotlight with a breathtaking 91 off just 48 balls, lacing his innings with explosive strokes and confidence. He was ably supported by skipper Shreyas Iyer, who struck a fluent 45, and their 78-run partnership gave PBKS the perfect platform.

Late fireworks from Shashank Singh (33), Nehal Wadhera (16), and Marcus Stoinis (15) lifted Punjab to a mammoth 236/5 — one of the highest totals of the season.

In response, LSG got off to a shaky start and were never truly in control of the chase. Ayush Badoni played a lone warrior's role, smashing 74 from 40 balls in a valiant but futile effort. He found little support from his teammates as the required run rate kept climbing. LSG eventually ended on 199/7 in their 20 overs.

Punjab’s bowlers kept things tight, with Arshdeep Singh standing out with figures of 3/16. Azmatullah Omarzai also impressed, picking up two crucial wickets to dent LSG’s momentum.

This victory takes Punjab Kings to 15 points, leapfrogging several teams in the tightly contested race to the playoffs. Meanwhile, LSG now find themselves in seventh position with just 10 points and fading playoff hopes.

With the tournament entering its final stretch, PBKS look in red-hot form at just the right time, while LSG will need a major turnaround to stay in the playoff hunt.

Key Highlights:

॰ Prabhsimran Singh’s 91 (48 balls) led PBKS's batting charge

॰ Punjab Kings post 236/5, one of IPL 2025’s top totals

॰ Arshdeep Singh’s 3/16 rattled LSG’s batting line-up

॰ Ayush Badoni’s valiant 74 (40 balls) went in vain

॰ Punjab now 2nd on the table; LSG drop to 7th

KKR vs RR Match : 53

KKR vs RR IPL 2025 Highlights: Kolkata Edges Rajasthan by 1 Run in a Nail-Biting Thriller to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders hold their nerve in a last-ball thriller to defeat Rajasthan Royals by 1 run at Eden Gardens. Riyan Parag's explosive 95 goes in vain.

Kolkata, May 4: The Eden Gardens witnessed pure IPL drama on Sunday as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) snatched a heart-stopping 1-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 53 of IPL 2025. With this win, KKR kept their playoff hopes alive in sensational fashion.

Chasing a stiff 207-run target, RR faltered early but were brought back into the game by a breathtaking knock from Riyan Parag, who smashed 95 off just 45 balls. Despite his heroics and a late assault by Shubham Dubey, RR fell agonizingly short, finishing on 205/8 in 20 overs.

The final over, bowled by Vaibhav Arora, was nothing short of a Bollywood climax. With 3 runs needed off the final delivery, Arora nailed a perfect yorker and RR could only manage a single — as Jofra Archer was run out trying to steal the second.

Earlier, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bat first. KKR posted a strong 206/4, powered by a blistering unbeaten 57 from Andre Russell and an energetic 44 from youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahane gave the team a solid start, while Rinku Singh provided the finishing touches.

Key Highlights – KKR vs RR, IPL 2025:

KKR: 206/4 in 20 overs

Russell: 57* (26), Raghuvanshi: 44 (32), Rahane: 30 (24)

RR: 205/8 in 20 overs

Parag: 95 (45), Hetmyer: 29 (21)

Last-ball thriller: RR needed 3 off 1, lost by 1 run

Vaibhav Arora: Hero in the final over with a calm finish under pressure

KKR Playing XI: Gurbaz (wk), Narine, Rahane (c), Raghuvanshi, Moeen, V. Iyer, Rinku, Russell, Ramandeep, Varun, Arora

RR Playing XI: Jaiswal, Suryavanshi, Parag (c), Rathore, Jurel (wk), Hetmyer, Hasaranga, Archer, Theekshana, Yudhvir, Madhwal

With this win, KKR breathe life into their IPL 2025 campaign, while RR will rue missed chances in what could've been a famous chase. The race for the playoffs just got more intense!

MI vs RR Match - 50

Mumbai Indians dominated Rajasthan Royals, winning by 100 runs and dashing the home team's playoffs hopes in the IPL 2025

Riyan Parag, leading Rajasthan Royals in place of the regular skipper, won the toss and chose to bowl first against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

However, the decision backfired as Mumbai Indians handed RR a crushing 100-run defeat, effectively knocking the home side out of playoff contention. Batting first, MI piled up an imposing 217/2, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Rohit Sharma (53) and Ryan Rickelton (61). Skipper Hardik Pandya (48*) and Suryakumar Yadav (48*) provided a fiery finish to the innings.

In response, RR faltered under pressure, getting bowled out for just 117 in 16.1 overs. MI's bowling unit delivered a clinical performance, with Jasprit Bumrah (2/15) and Trent Boult (3/28) doing early damage, before Karn Sharma (3/23) sealed the dominant victory for the visitors.

IPL 2025 Point Table

CSK vs PBKS Match - 49

CSK's home struggles persist as Punjab Kings deliver another setback at Chepauk

           Shreyas Iyer leads by example as five-time champions are eliminated despite Sam Curran's 88. Chennai Super Kings are officially out of the tournament with nearly a month of IPL still to play. On Wednesday, for a change, their batting unit, driven by Sam Curran's 88, scored 190, but Punjab comfortably overhauled the total, giving themselves some breathing room as the playoff race heats up. With just two points separating the top team and fifth spot, every win counts as Punjab travels to Dharamsala for their last three home matches.

Punjab Kings strive for 190 to achieve second rank in the points table and eliminate Chennai Super Kings.

                    Picture credit : TIE 

               

Shreyas Iyer

At the halfway stage, with dew prevalent, the target of 191 seemed within reach, a total that Punjab's batting unit could easily overcome if they performed at their best. The biggest advantage of this revamped team is its top three batsmen, who are all in good touch, having individually scored over 300 runs, and it is from this segment that the bulk of their runs come. Although the middle order is still relatively untested, their current responsibility is to complete the task initiated by the top order. This strategy worked out perfectly, with captain Shreyas Iyer leading from the front with a score of 72.   

          Priyansh Arya, who had scored his maiden century against Chennai at Mullanpur, scored only 23 runs here, with 20 of those runs coming in boundaries. However, Prabhsimran Singh was at his most destructive, coming in as an Impact Sub, where his role is to maximise the Powerplay and inflict maximum damage.

              The domestic circuit and this IPL have recently highlighted his capacity to prolong his innings while maintaining an adventurous approach – as illustrated by his switch-hit off Sunil Narine in the previous game. In pursuit of a substantial total, Prabhsimran partnered with Shreyas to establish a commanding position for his team, scoring 54 off 36 deliveries with five fours and three sixes.

                

            

IPL 2025 Point Table