"Had 3 more years in him": AB de Villiers, Kevin Pietersen, Sanjay Manjrekar & others react to Virat Kohli's retirement

India National Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli shocked many on Monday (12th May). The premier batter announced his retirement from Test cricket just ahead of the five-match Test series against the England National Cricket Team.

Kohli made the decision public through his Instagram post as he mentioned that it wasn't an easy decision for him, but he felt that it was the right time. He also shared how the format shaped his career and taught him so much in life.

Virat Kohli's decision comes as a massive surprise

Virat Kohli's decision comes as a massive surprise as not many expected him to retire from Test cricket, especially with him calling it his favourite format. With him being extremely fit, it's fair to say that he could've played easily for more years.

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Virat Kohli ends his career as one of the greatest players to have played Test cricket. The right-hander was often credited for keeping the format alive, as his aggressive character was always something that kept things exciting and intensified.

Virat Kohli ends his career as the greatest-ever Test captain of the Indian Cricket Team

Virat Kohli, as a batter, was nothing short of exceptional, as the kind of impact that he made, especially in overseas tours, was something that will be irreplaceable. The premier India National Cricket Team batter also ends his career as the greatest-ever Test captain of the team.

Under him, the team became a dominating force in the longest format of the game, as apart from winning games at home, they also won overseas. He also won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a captain on Australian soil in 2018 and took the team to the final of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021.

He ends his career with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 games. His tally also included 30 Test tons and 31 fifties. Kohli's last came against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and at that time, not many would've imagined his retirement.

Also Read: "Gautam Gambhir is a culprit": Fans fume as Virat Kohli retires from Tests at the 'wrong time'

Cricket experts react to Virat Kohli's Test retirement

As Virat Kohli announced his sudden retirement from Test cricket, the cricket fraternity, including AB de Villiers, Sanjay Manjrekar, Kevin Pietersen, Wasim Jaffer, and others, reacted to it. They were shocked by the decision and also lauded the batter for his incredible career. Here are reactions:

Virat?!?! 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) May 12, 2025

Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025

All the best on your Test retirement @imVkohli While the world celebrates your cricketing brilliance and records, what I admire most is your unwavering commitment to fitness and the sacrifices you've made behind the scenes

— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) May 12, 2025

Happy red ball retirement to one of the games greatest! @imVkohli
The example and standards you set were always of the highest order!

— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) May 12, 2025

Thank you Virat 🙏🙏

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) May 12, 2025

Biggest brand of the modern cricket era who gave it all for cricket’s oldest format. Test cricket owes that debt to Virat Kohli. 🙏🙏🙏

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 12, 2025

I feel he at least had 3 more years in him, but his decision should be respected. Test cricket was never boring with Virat in. His presence alone brought millions of eyeballs. Once in a generation player. You will be missed @imVkohli Congratulations on a successful career 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/tOdzaz2wej

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 12, 2025

Numbers will not define Kohli’s Test legacy. They’re just a small fraction of what he did in/for the format.
Virat, you made a whole generation fall in love with Test cricket again. Thank You for your contribution.
Test Cricket will be poorer in your absence. 🙌

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 12, 2025

Virat, we’ve shared that era… faced the grind together, lived the long days of Test cricket with pride. Your batting in whites is special — not just in numbers, but in intent, intensity, and inspiration.
Good luck going forward #ViratKohli #TestCricket @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/GSh1Ca6I3G

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 12, 2025

Congratulations on a phenomenal Test career, Virat Kohli.
As captain, you didn’t just win matches—you changed mindsets.
You made fitness, aggression, and pride in whites the new standard.
A true torchbearer of modern Indian Test cricket.#ThankYouVirat pic.twitter.com/rvFAulcMSQ

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 12, 2025

Test cricket needed the fire that you brought to it. Thank You, Virat. You truly did it your way. pic.twitter.com/jXvZvupS20

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) May 12, 2025

Dint see that coming at all. Well it’s time to celebrate his incredible career. His achievements playing test cricket for India is second to none . Most successful captain- most runs as captain but more than that India learnt to play fearlessly under him. Truely revived test…

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) May 12, 2025

Instagram story of Ajinkya Rahane for Virat Kohli ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2KDPDVy0Pi

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 12, 2025

A man with lion’s passion!
Will miss u cheeks…. pic.twitter.com/uNGW7Y8Ak6

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 12, 2025

Congrats to my biscotti @imVkohli on an epic Test career! Your determination & skill have always inspired me. True legend! ❤️🙌🏻 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/2DnNLRzSrI

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 12, 2025

Hats of to this two legendary gentleman for their great contributions in whites and has inspired millions of people 😇✊✊✊
Congrats and happy retirement from test cricket 🙏👊👊👊 pic.twitter.com/oJayWYw5W9

— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) May 12, 2025

Congratulations to Virat Kohli on a great Test career. Thank you for all the memorable moments in whites.
Wishing you the best for what’s ahead. #ViratKohli𓃵

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) May 12, 2025

An era of intensity, aggression, consistency and fitness decided to walk into the sunset, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Thanks for the wonderful service to the game. Well done #ViratKohli𓃵 , wishing you the very best post retirement. @bcci @imVkohli @StarSportsIndia

— WV Raman (@wvraman) May 12, 2025