Vizag’s Kona Srikar Bharat hangs up his India gloves after seven Tests

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India’s Srikar Bharat with his mother. File | Photo Credit: K.R Deepak

Visakhapatnam-based Indian cricketer Kona Srikar Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter posted the news on his official social media accounts on the evening of Thursday (June 4, 2026), bringing the curtain down on a career that carried him to the highest level of the game, Test cricket for India.

In an emotional note, Bharat reflected on what it had meant to wear the India jersey and represent the country. “To play for my country has been the greatest honour of my life. This journey demanded resilience and strength, but the privilege of representing India in Test cricket made every moment worthwhile,” he wrote.

He paid tribute to his family, whose support, he said, had held firm through every phase of his cricketing life.

The Andhra cricketer also acknowledged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the coaches, managers and support staff who worked with him through his career. He reserved a special mention for the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA), the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association (VDCA) and their office-bearers, who backed him on the long climb from grassroots cricket to the international stage.

Turning to the people who shaped his career, Bharat singled out India captain Rohit Sharma, under whom he made his Test debut. “A big thank you to my captain Rohit Sharma, under whom I made my Test debut. It is a memory that is priceless and beyond words,” he wrote.

He also remembered former India head coach Rahul Dravid, who, he said, guided him from the India A setup to the national side. Dravid’s mentorship, Bharat wrote, had been invaluable and unforgettable.

On his Indian Premier League (IPL) days, Bharat turned to Virat Kohli, who captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) when he made his IPL debut. Kohli’s faith in him, he said, gave him the stage to prove his ability and win notice at the national level.

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