On Monday, May 12, Indian star batter Virat Kohli decided to step away from Test cricket. His career spanned 14 years and included 123 Tests. Notably, he led India in 68 matches. Overall, he finished with a tally of 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. His tally included 30 tons and 31 fifties. Kohli followed the footsteps of Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement recently from the format. Earlier, during the Border-Gavaskar series between Australia and India in 2024-25, premier off-spinner R Ashwin bid his farewell. So this ended up being a vital few months where three senior cricketers made their exit. India, who are set to tour England for a 5-match series next month, will enter a new transition phase, which will have a new captain as well.
Reports stated the BCCI was keen to talk to Kohli and delay his retirement plans with the England series in place. His experience could have benefited the team. However, Kohli seemed done with the format, with the focus now only being on ODIS. 36-year-old Kohli leaves a lasting legacy as one of India’s finest. His period from 2014 to 2019 was solid. However, from 2020 to 2021, Kohli went behind and never quite managed to deliver, seeing his average dip as performances lacked shape. His last three series against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia were abysmal by his standards.
However, Kohli leaves the format with a lot of records to cherish. He is India’s highest double-centurion in the longest format. He also boasted quality numbers in SENA nations, apart from being a run machine at home. He remains India’s most successful skipper, helping them win 40 matches from the 68 he led until 2022.
Here we present Kohli’s 5 best knocks in Test cricket.
116 vs Australia (Adelaide, 2012)
Kohli made his debut for India in whites back in 2011. In what was his 8th Test, the young Kohli smacked his maiden hundred, and that too came against Australia in Adelaide, 2012. Against the mighty Aussies under the leadership of Michael Clarke, Kohli did reasonably well on his first tour of the SENA nations. After scores worth 11, 0, 23, 9, 44, and 75, Kohli came blazing in the 4th encounter in Adelaide, hammering 122 runs in India’s first innings. Double tons from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke saw Australia smash a mammoth 604/7d in the 1st innings. India responded with a score of 272. With all other batters, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman failing, a lone heroic knock from Kohli gave India some joy. Kohli, who came in at number six, faced 213 balls for his 116, slamming 11 fours and a six. Australia scored 167/5d next before bowling India out for 201. Kohli scored 22 runs in the 4th innings. Notably, India were blanked 4-0 by the Aussies.
119 vs South Africa (Johannesburg, 2013)
In the 2013 South Africa tour, India were brave in Johannesburg in the 1st encounter, which ended in a draw. Kohli led the show for the visitors and won the Man of the Match award for his twin solid efforts of 119 and 96. However, in what was his maiden outing in South Africa and a 2nd visit to a SENA nation, Kohli showed what he is made of. Kohli walked in early when India were 24/2 after 15.1 overs. He saw off the danger and added a valiant 89-run stand alongside Cheteshwar Pujara, resurrecting India’s ship. Kohli then added another 38 runs with Rohit and a 68-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane before perishing, with a score of 219/5. His four-laden knock had a count of 18 as he faced 181 balls. India scored 280. India did well in bowling SA out for 244 before Kohli came good again, scoring 96 in India’s 451. He added a massive 222-run stand with Pujara. In the 4th innings, SA scored 450/7 before both sides settled for a draw.
105* vs New Zealand (Wellington, 2014)
In his first tour of New Zealand in 2014, Kohli came good and helped India save a rare test match in Wellington. Coming to the match after losing the 1st match by 40 runs, India were well positioned to produce the goods and seal a vital win. India first folded NZ for a score of 192 and then bagged 438 runs with Kohli chipping in with 38. In the 3rd innings, New Zealand were 94/5 at one stage as India had their tails up. However, a herculean triple-century from Brendon McCullum and tons from BJ Watling and James Neesham saw the Kiwis smash 680/8d. India were very much done and dusted. However, they needed to save the match now. India started poorly in the 4th innings, being reduced to 10/2 and then 54/3 after 22.3 overs. Kohli, who walked in at number 4, weathered the storm alongside Pujara and added 44 runs for the 3rd wicket. Once Pujara was sent back, Kohli and Rohit bailed India out with a defining century-plus stand. Kohli remained unbeaten on 105 from 135 balls. He hit 15 fours and a six. India managed 166/3.
141 vs Australia (Adelaide, 2014)
Australia and India’s 2014-15 series was a battle of wits between Steve Smith and Kohli. Smith smashed 769 runs in that series, and Kohli managed 692. Both players hammered 4 tons each. It was Australia that came on top, sealing the 4-match series 2-0. Kohli started the series on a high, slamming twin tons in Adelaide. He almost pulled off a heist single-handedly, but India fell short by 48 runs. Australia scored 517/7d with tons from David Warner, Clarke and Smith. In response, India got a respectable 444. Kohli was part of three 50-plus stands as he smashed 115. In the 3rd innings, Australia managed 290/5d as India were set a 364-run target. Kohli and Murali Vijay added 185 runs for the 3rd wicket as India were once 242/2 and at the driver’s seat. However, Vijay’s dismissal saw India collapse. Kohli tried his best but didn’t get the support. He took India past 300 before being dismissed on 141 by Nathan Lyon. His knock had 16 fours and a six.
254* vs South Africa (Pune, 2019)
As mentioned, Kohli has hammered 7 double tons in his career. However, his best of 254* deserves the pick. In the 2nd clash between India and South Africa in Pune, 2019, India batted first and amassed a solid 601/5d. India had 5 players with 50-plus scores, but it was Kohli who stole the show with a majestic 254*. It was the last of his double centuries, and Kohli was at a time when he enjoyed his best cricket. His 254* brushed aside the Proteas. Kohli faced 336 balls, slamming 33 fours and 2 sixes. He was part of the telling partnerships alongside Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja. SA then managed 275 and 189 as the Indian spinners ran riot. India won by an innings and 137 runs.