India’s star batter Virat Kohli called time on his illustrious Test career on Monday (May 12). He confirmed his retirement through an Instagram post.

Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, played a key role in India's red-ball resurgence over the past decade with his aggressive captaincy, prolific batting and unmatched intensity.

The 36-year-old finished his Test career with 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 from 123 matches, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with the highest score of 254. Having retired from T20Is last year, the India talisman will now focus solely on the ODI format.

Tributes poured in for Virat Kohli after he hung up his boots from the Test arena. Legendary England pacer James Anderson also paid a heartfelt tribute, hailing the Indian talisman as one of the greatest Test batters ever.

Kohli’s retirement came days after Rohit Sharma announced that he’s done playing Tests, leaving a big void in the Indian team ahead of the England tour that marks the beginning of the new WTC cycle.

Speaking to TalkSport, Anderson acknowledged both Kohli and Rohit’s immense contributions to Indian cricket.

“Great players. There will be a new captain because Sharma has retired. Kohli, one of the greatest Test batters that’s ever been. There’s big shoes to fill there but they’ve got a huge amount of talent in their squad,” Anderson said.

Be it in 2014, 2016, 2018 or 2021, Kohli and Anderson engaged in unforgettable duels. While Anderson proved to be Kohli’s nemesis in 2014, the Indian stalwart bounced back to dominate the English great in the next two series.

Overall, Kohli scored 305 runs against Anderson while averaging 43.57 and getting out to him seven times.

While Kohli and Rohit are big shoes to fill, Anderson reckons India have the talent to move forward, highlighting how their new breed of batters have a fearless mindset.

“You just have to watch the IPL. They are bringing players into Test cricket from the IPL now who are just so attacking, aggressive, and fearless," Anderson said.

England will host India in a five-match Test series, starting next month. The marquee series is slated to get underway on June 20 at Headingley, followed by matches at Lord's (June 28), Trent Bridge (July 6), The Oval (July 14), and Old Trafford (July 24).

England will also travel to Australia for the Ashes by the end of the year, and Anderson warns the Ben Stokes-led side to not focus entirely on the tour Down Under.

“It’s a huge year (for England) with the Ashes coming but it is important to get some momentum going. If I’m being honest, looking back at my career, that happened too much where, 18 months out from an Ashes the management and even the players starting to look towards that and actually forgetting what’s in front of you. India is going to be such a tough challenge even at home. They are a strong side," said Anderson.