Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, bringing an end to a remarkable 14-year-long career in the longest format. Known for his aggressive play and leadership, Kohli’s journey has been nothing short of legendary.

Kohli’s tenure as Test captain was a highly successful one. Leading India from 2014 to 2022, Kohli took India to new heights, securing 40 wins out of 68 matches. This remarkable achievement makes him India’s most successful Test captain, surpassing many greats. His captaincy helped India win its first away Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018–19, and under his leadership, India remained unbeaten in 11 consecutive home Test series.

His stats as a captain are impressive:

  • Matches: 68
  • Wins: 40
  • Losses: 17
  • Draws: 11
  • Average: 54.80, scoring 5,864 runs
  • Centuries as captain: 20

What about Kohli's overall Test career?

Kohli’s overall Test career spanned 14 years, with 9,230 runs scored in 210 innings at an average of 46.85. He registered 30 centuries and 31 fifties, cementing his place among the all-time greats of the game.

His highest score, 254 not out, came against South Africa in Pune in 2019. This innings was not only his personal best but also set the stage for India’s crushing win by an innings and 137 runs.

What were Kohli’s best performances in Test cricket?

Some of Kohli’s standout performances in Tests include:

254 not out vs South Africa, Pune (2019): Kohli’s highest Test score and his seventh double century. His knock was pivotal in India’s victory.

141 vs Australia, Adelaide (2014): A defining knock during India's chase of 364, though India fell short. Kohli’s 115 in the first innings marked his debut as Test captain with twin centuries.

153 vs South Africa, Centurion (2018): Kohli almost single-handedly carried India’s batting, scoring nearly half of the team’s total in a challenging match.

149 vs England, Birmingham (2018): A memorable innings that came after a dismal 2014 tour, solidifying his place as one of the best in foreign conditions.

54 vs South Africa, Johannesburg (2018): Kohli’s grit on a difficult pitch led India to victory by 63 runs, showcasing his resilience.