Virat Kohli: A Test Cricket Legend

Virat Kohli is the greatest Indian batter of his generation. But even that sentence doesn’t do justice to his incredible career. He retires with 9230 runs from 123 Tests, averaging 46.85.

The Passion for Wins Over Records

For those who watched Kohli at his peak, it might be surprising that he didn’t reach 10,000 Test runs or maintain a career average above 50. But Kohli always prioritized team wins over personal milestones.

He may not have achieved all the individual batting records, but he has something even more valuable: the most wins (40) by an Indian captain in Test cricket, and 62 victories as a player—more than any Indian cricketer except Sachin Tendulkar.

Redefining Test Cricket

Kohli brought a unique energy to Test cricket. He played with a fierce intensity that made the game move to his pace. This is something only the greatest players can do.

Kohli loved Test cricket with the passion of a teenage romance. He brought the same intensity to every match, from his first session in 2008 to his last in 2025. He made spectators feel as involved as he was.

Saying goodbye to something you love deeply is never easy. But Kohli knew it was time. His journey has left us with unforgettable memories.

‘For 60 Overs, They Should Feel Hell’

This quote perfectly captures Kohli’s approach to the game. It was during a tense Test match between India and England. Kohli’s words reflected his philosophy as captain: make the opposition feel like they’re in hell.

From his first time captaining India in Adelaide in 2014, Kohli set the tone. He made the team believe in chasing down targets that seemed impossible before him.

The Batting Great

Kohli’s lowest point as a batter was the England tour of 2014. But he spent the next several years building a record that few could match.

From October 2014 to December 2019, Kohli scored 5347 runs in 55 Tests, averaging 63.65. He did this across different venues and countries, all while being the best ODI batter in the world and winning two Player of the Tournament awards in T20 World Cups.

At his peak, Kohli looked like he would break every batting record. But Test cricket is unpredictable. Kohli understood this better than most, which is why he was relentless in his pursuit of excellence.

There will be others who might achieve even greater heights. But it will be tough to find someone who loved Test cricket as much as Virat Kohli did. He left the game in better health than he found it, a fitting end to his incredible journey.