The king has left the red-ball throne, but the legacy? That’s forever.
In a world obsessed with flashy T20s and viral sixes, Virat Kohli made us fall in love with Test cricket again. Over 14 glorious years, Kohli turned white clothes and red balls into rockstar symbols. With 123 matches, 9,230 runs, and 30 centuries under his belt, he didn’t just play Test cricket — he owned it. And now, in 2025, with his retirement from the format, it’s time to relive the journey of the man who gave us pride, passion, and pure Test magic [1].
From Nervous Debut to Rising Flame
Let’s rewind to 2011: Kohli, fresh off his ODI success, gets his Test cap in Jamaica vs West Indies. Expectations were sky-high, but his start? Meh. Just 76 runs in five innings. Critics talked. Memes flew. But here’s the thing — Kohli’s mindset was built different.
While legends like Sachin, Dravid, and Laxman were saying goodbye, Kohli was quietly gearing up to carry the weight of Indian Test cricket on his shoulders. It wasn’t instant stardom. It was struggle, grind, and late-night net sessions. Gen Zs call it the “hustle era,” and Kohli lived it.
When the World Took Notice
You know the vibe when you go from ‘who’s that?’ to ‘he’s HIM’? That was Kohli around 2013–14.
He went to South Africa and smacked 119 and 96 on bouncy pitches. Then came that Adelaide Test in 2014 — twin centuries (115 & 141), leading a tough fourth-innings chase. Australia saw his fire. We saw our next icon [2].
From then on, it was world domination mode: England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka — you name it. He adapted, countered swing and pace like a boss, and became the backbone of India’s batting. No stat-padding here — Kohli earned every run, often in the toughest conditions [2].
Captain Kohli: Bold, Fierce & Always In Beast Mode
2014: MS Dhoni steps down. Enter King Kohli — aggressive, super-fit, and fearless.
Under his captaincy (2014–2022), India won 40 out of 68 Tests. That’s not just good, that’s historic. Kohli didn’t just lead — he changed the culture. Yo-Yo tests became mandatory. Fast bowlers became scary. India became the team to beat, at home and abroad.
The cherry on top? The 2018–19 Test series win in Australia. That moment at the SCG, with Kohli leading the celebrations — goosebumps. His captaincy wasn’t perfect, but it was passionate, unapologetic, and very, very Kohli.
The Greatest Hits: Kohli’s Best Test Knock Drops
Some batters play pretty. Kohli? He played powerful, emotional, clutch cricket. Here are just a few of his all-time Test bangers:
- Adelaide 2014 (141): Fighting till the end. Classic Kohli grit.
- Edgbaston 2018 (149): Silenced English critics. Again.
- Cape Town 2024 (100+ under pressure): Vintage late-career comeback.
- 254 vs South Africa*: Career-best, absolute masterclass.
Let’s talk numbers:
- 9,230 runs
- Average: 46.85
- 30 centuries
- 7 double-centuries (yes, the most by any Indian)
- ICC Cricketer of the Year: 2017 & 2018
- No.1 ICC Test batter in 2018
And yeah, if cricket had Grammys, Kohli would need a new shelf.
Slump Season & The Redemption Arc
Even the GOATs get benched by life sometimes.
From 2020 to 2022, Kohli faced a dip. No centuries for over three years. Averages dropped. Trolls got loud. Media went wild. Everyone wondered: “Is Kohli done?”
But you know our man. He doesn’t back down. In 2023, he dropped a majestic 186* vs Australia, ending that 1,205-day century drought. Just like that, the king reminded us who he was. It wasn’t about proving anyone wrong — it was about proving himself right. And that’s what made the comeback legendary.
The Legacy: Not Just Stats, But Standard
Virat Kohli isn’t just a stat machine. He changed the vibe of Indian Test cricket.
He made fitness cool. Made aggression tactical. Made us care about Tests in a world addicted to T20s. With 9,230 runs, he’s India’s fourth-highest scorer — but more than numbers, he brought attitude, energy, and relentless commitment to the format [3].
Now that he’s stepped away, a whole generation of players will carry forward the fire he lit. And fans? We’ll forever replay those Kohli cover drives in our heads.
Final Word: Thank You, King Kohli
From that nervous debut in 2011 to walking away in 2025 as a legend, Virat Kohli gave us a lifetime of memories. The celebrations, the sledges, the stump mics, the centuries — it was a ride we’ll never forget.
Bibliography
[1] Harshit Bisht, “123 Matches, 9230 Runs, 30 Centuries: Virat Kohli’s Test Career In Numbers – News18,” News18, May 12, 2025. https://www.news18.com/cricket/123-matches-9230-runs-30-centuries-virat-kohlis-test-career-in-numbers-9331600.html.
[2] T. Hawk, “Best of Virat Kohli’s innings that stamped his authority as modern-day great,” Thehawk.in, May 12, 2025. https://www.thehawk.in/news/sports/best-of-virat-kohlis-innings-that-stamped-his-authority-as-modern-day-great.
[3] S. Chowdhury, “Virat Kohli retires as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer: Career in numbers,” India Today, May 12, 2025. https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/sports/cricket/story/virat-kohli-stats-test-retirement-records-2723467-2025-05-12.
