Mumbai: Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, bringing an end to a remarkable chapter in the sport that redefined India’s dominance in red-ball cricket.

The star batter took to social media to announce his decision. He stated that stepping away from this format of the game is not easy but “it feels right”.

“I have given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could have hoped for,” the 36-year-old said.

Kohli shared that he will always look back at this test career with a smile. He spoke of his deep connection to the traditional format, stating,” 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.”

He added: "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."

Kohli has played 210 Test innings, amassing 9,230 runs at an impressive average of over 45. His tally includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties, cementing his legacy as of the finest Test cricketers the sport has seen.

He took over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014, embarking on an illustrious eight-year tenure that reshaped India’s approach to the longest format. Under his leadership, India registered 40 wins in 68 Tests — the most by any Indian captain in history.

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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.

The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.

"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.

The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.

He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.