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Virat Kohli's Test career is a narrative of transformation, dominance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early days as a promising talent to his reign as India's most successful Test captain, Kohli's journey is etched with remarkable achievements and defining moments. His retirement from Test cricket marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike. Kohli's impact extends beyond mere statistics; he instilled a culture of aggression, ambition, and unwavering belief in the Indian team, transforming them into a formidable force in the global arena. This essay delves into the various facets of his Test career, examining his batting prowess, his captaincy tenure, and his overall contribution to Indian cricket. His journey began with a Test debut in the West Indies in 2011, after having proved his mettle in the One Day International format, a debut that didn't necessarily set the world on fire. He initially struggled to find his footing, facing the challenge of established senior batsmen in the Indian middle order. Dropped from the team after a string of low scores, Kohli faced the ignominy of being sidelined, a rare setback in his otherwise illustrious career. However, this setback proved to be a catalyst, fueling his determination to prove his worth and secure his place in the Test side. His comeback was marked by a stellar performance in the disastrous 2011/12 tour of Australia, where he emerged as the sole shining light amidst the gloom. Scoring a century and consistently contributing with the bat, Kohli demonstrated his resilience and his ability to perform under pressure, laying the foundation for his future success. From that point onwards, Kohli's career trajectory soared, marked by a series of remarkable achievements and milestones. He established himself as a mainstay of the Indian middle order, consistently scoring runs and playing match-winning innings. His aggressive approach, combined with his technical prowess and mental fortitude, made him a formidable opponent for bowlers around the world. Kohli's hunger for runs was insatiable, and he consistently pushed himself to improve and break new ground. The year 2014 proved to be a turning point in his career, both as a batsman and as a leader. While he endured a torrid tour of England, struggling to cope with the moving ball and accumulating a mere 134 runs in ten innings, this experience served as a valuable lesson, forcing him to re-evaluate his technique and approach. It was also the year in which he was first handed the captaincy of the Test team, albeit on an interim basis. This responsibility ignited a fire within him, transforming him from a talented batsman into a passionate and driven leader. The tour Down Under that followed was one of the most significant in his career. He not only dominated with the bat, smashing 692 runs in four Tests at an astonishing average of 86.50, but also showcased his leadership qualities, guiding the team with courage and determination. This tour marked the beginning of his full-time captaincy tenure, ushering in a new era for Indian Test cricket. Under Kohli's leadership, the Indian Test team underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving into a dominant force in the world. He instilled a culture of aggression, ambition, and unwavering belief, inspiring his teammates to strive for excellence. His emphasis on fitness, discipline, and a never-say-die attitude transformed the team's approach, leading to unprecedented success both at home and abroad. Statistically, Kohli's captaincy record speaks for itself. He led India to 40 Test wins, the most by any Indian captain, including 16 away wins. He also holds the distinction of winning every home series that he led, a testament to India's formidable dominance on their own soil. His captaincy tenure coincided with India's unprecedented home dominance, winning 18 series on the bounce between 2013 and 2024, a feat that cemented their status as a powerhouse in Test cricket. Beyond the numbers, Kohli's impact as a captain was profound. He nurtured a team of world-class fast bowlers, transforming India's bowling attack into one of the most feared in the world. He empowered his players to express themselves and play with freedom, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. He also led by example, consistently performing at the highest level and inspiring his teammates to raise their game.
While Kohli's captaincy was marked by numerous triumphs, his batting also reached unprecedented heights during this period. From October 2014 until the Covid pandemic disrupted cricket action in 2020, Kohli amassed 5385 runs at an astonishing average of 61.19, scoring 21 hundreds. Only the irrepressible Steven Smith surpassed Kohli in terms of both average and hundreds scored during this period, highlighting the exceptional level of consistency and dominance that Kohli achieved. This period represents the peak of Kohli's Test career, a time when he seemed virtually unstoppable. His hunger for runs was insatiable, and he consistently delivered match-winning performances, cementing his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation. His ability to score big hundreds, often converting them into double hundreds, was a hallmark of his batting prowess. He possessed a rare combination of technical brilliance, mental fortitude, and an unwavering belief in his own abilities, making him a nightmare for bowlers around the world. One of the defining characteristics of Kohli's batting during this period was his mastery of 'daddy hundreds'. Of his first 11 Test hundreds, only once did he go past 150. However, in his next 11 Test hundreds, he was dismissed for under 150 only once, showcasing his ability to convert starts into big scores. Across his Test career, Kohli hit seven double hundreds, each of them coming during his peak years between 2016 and 2019. This is the joint fourth-most by any batsman in Tests and the most by an Indian player, further highlighting his dominance during this period. Kohli also achieved the remarkable feat of scoring double centuries in four successive series in 2016-17, becoming the first and only batsman to do so in Test cricket history. This incredible run of form solidified his reputation as a run-machine and a master of converting fifties into hundreds. The period between 2016 and 2019 was undoubtedly the golden era of Kohli's career, not just in Test cricket but across all formats of the game. He dominated international cricket like no other player, scoring more runs and hundreds than anyone else. His averages in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is were simply phenomenal, showcasing his versatility and adaptability across different formats. He averaged 66.79 in Tests, 80.98 in ODIs (at a strike rate of 99.27), and 59.88 in T20Is (at a strike rate of 141.71), a testament to his unparalleled consistency and his ability to perform under pressure in all formats. During this period, each of his seven double hundreds came, an Indian record for most double hundreds. In a time where the formats are rapidly diverging, such a peak simultaneously across the formats would be next to impossible to witness in the coming times. However, after this period of unparalleled success, Kohli's form began to dip. While he continued to contribute with the bat, he could not replicate the same level of consistency and dominance that he had previously displayed. He went through three calendar years without scoring another Test century, and his average in the post-pandemic era fell to just 32.09. Despite this dip in form, Kohli remained a valuable member of the Indian team, contributing with his experience and leadership. However, his inability to reach the heights he had previously set for himself meant that he could not achieve the milestones of a 10,000 Test run tally or a 50+ career average, benchmarks that are often considered hallmarks of Test match greatness.
Kohli's legacy extends beyond his individual achievements. He transformed the Indian Test team into a global powerhouse, instilling a culture of aggression, ambition, and unwavering belief. He inspired a generation of cricketers and fans, showing them that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His impact on Indian cricket will be felt for years to come, and he will forever be remembered as one of the greatest captains and batsmen in the history of the game. Kohli's journey in SENA countries and West Indies is also a testament to his all-round brilliance. He has accumulated 4441 runs at an average of 41.89, making him the third-highest Indian run-scorer in these countries behind Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. His 14 centuries in these conditions are second only to Tendulkar's 18, highlighting his ability to perform in challenging conditions against quality opposition. He has had two series where he has hit 500+ runs in these conditions - 692 in Australia 2014/15 and 593 in England in 2018, showcasing his ability to dominate in foreign lands. Overall, there are just 15 instances of Asian batsmen aggregating 500+ runs in a series in SENA and West Indies with Kohli, Gavaskar and Dravid being the only batsmen to do so twice. This is a testament to his ability to adapt to different conditions and his consistent performance against top-quality bowling attacks. The 2018 tour of England stands out as a prime example of Kohli's resilience and determination. After enduring a disastrous tour in 2014, where he struggled to cope with the moving ball, he returned to England four years later a transformed player. He smashed 593 runs across five Tests, 244 runs more than the second-best from both sides combined, showcasing his remarkable improvement and his ability to learn from his mistakes. His battle against James Anderson, one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, was a defining moment of the series. Having got the better of him four times in just 50 balls in 2014, Kohli did not get out to Anderson even once in 2018 in a head-to-head battle that lasted 270 balls, though the batter has loads of luck running in his favor. This transformation in his game was a testament to his hard work, his dedication, and his unwavering belief in his own abilities. In conclusion, Virat Kohli's Test career is a story of transformation, dominance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early struggles to his reign as India's most successful Test captain, Kohli's journey is etched with remarkable achievements and defining moments. His impact on Indian cricket extends beyond mere statistics; he instilled a culture of aggression, ambition, and unwavering belief in the team, transforming them into a formidable force in the global arena. While his form may have dipped in recent years, his legacy as one of the greatest captains and batsmen in the history of the game remains firmly intact. His retirement from Test cricket marks the end of an era, but his impact on the game will continue to inspire generations of cricketers and fans for years to come.
Source: Kohli's career from being India's most successful Test captain to mastering big 100s