Virat Kohli shocked the entire cricketing world, on Monday, by announcing his retirement from Tests, thereby concluding a remarkable 14-year career in the longest format. The 36-year-old made the announcement via Instagram, expressing gratitude for the journey that saw him play 123 Tests. He also scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, which included 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Kohli stepped away from the longest format of the game as India’s most successful Test captain. He led India to 40 Test wins out of 68. This correspondent is fortunate to have covered Kohli over multiple overseas tours, including his debut Test series against the West Indies in 2011 and his last series in Australia.
There have been several evocative memories of covering Kohli in his whites. But the one that will forever remain close to my heart is the Test jersey gifted by the legend after India won the series in Australia in 2018-19. Here is a list of some of the memorable moments of his career:
Leading India to its maiden Test series win Down Under in 2018-19
In 2018-19, Virat Kohli led India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia. Though less prolific with the bat — 282 runs in four matches at 40.28 — his leadership was critical. It was even more special in the sense that in their previous 11 attempts, India had managed to draw a Test series Down Under only twice, while losing nine. Former India captains – Bishan Singh Bedi (1977-78) and Sourav Ganguly (2003-04) – had come close to winning a Test series in Australia before Kohli did.
India won the series 2-1 after play on the final day of the fourth Test in Sydney was abandoned due to rain with Australia still trailing by 316 runs. It ended India’s 71-year wait. The entire team celebrating the series win with Kohli accompanied by his wife, Anushka Sharma, at SCG, was a moment to savour. It turned out to be an unforgettable day as Kohli gifted his Test jersey to yours truly.
Also Read: The Shirt Numbered 18 Will Bask in Its Glory Long After Kohli Bids Adieu to Test Cricket
Sublime Kohli proves a point against Anderson and co. during the England tour of 2018
Yours truly witnessed contrasting fortunes of Kohli during the tours to England in 2014 and 2018. The 2014 series turned into a nightmare for Kohli. The English quicks, especially James Anderson, found a chink in the armour of Kohli and exploited it to the fullest. Anderson picked Kohli’s wicket four times during the series.
The star Indian batter registered scores of 1, 8, 25, 0, 39, 28, 0, 7, 6 and 20 in the five Tests in England, averaging 13.50 in 10 innings. Kohli returned to England in 2018 with vengeance on his mind. Putting the demons of the past behind him, Kohli scored a gutsy 149 in the first innings of the first Test at Edgbaston. Though India won only one match and lost the series 4-1, Kohli racked up 593 runs in 10 innings at an average of 59.30. He notched up two tons and three fifties in that series.
Incidentally, his 97 and 103 paved the way for India’s only win of that series at Trent Bridge. Through the series, Kohli put to bed any doubts that his critics had and took the England-shaped chip off his shoulders.
Leading from the front in Australia in 2014
Following the disastrous tour of England (losing 1-3) in 2014, the MS Dhoni-led Indian team toured Down Under in the same year. Despite India losing the Test series 0-2, Kohli was the standout performer, scoring 692 runs in eight innings at an average of 86.50.
With Dhoni ruled out a day before the first Test due to an injury, Kohli took over as stand-in captain in Adelaide. He accrued hundreds in both the innings (115 and 141). In fact, his knock in the second innings will be remembered for a long time. Chasing 364, his aggressive approach kept India in the game, despite the side losing wickets at regular intervals. Though India lost the Test by 48 runs, Kohli’s fearless batting and leadership qualities signalled the dawn of a new era.
Scoring his maiden Test double hundred in the presence of Sir Viv Richards
Sir Viv Richards has been an avid admirer of Virat Kohli’s batting. And it was only befitting that the star Indian batter reached his maiden double test ton in the presence of the West Indian legend in Antigua in July 2016. Kohli reached the landmark on the second day of that Test.
He also became the first Indian captain to score a double century outside of India. Sir Viv, who was part of the commentary panel, was highly impressed by Kohli’s innings, calling it “classy” and “magnificent”. The two legends met at the team hotel, on the same evening. Later, Kohli revealed that being congratulated by Sir Viv was a special moment.
Virat Kohli and his never-ending bond with the Indian fans
Kohli shared a never-ending bond with his fans across the world. During the 2023 tour to the Caribbean, Joshua da Silva’s mother, Caroline, dropped at the Queens Park Oval just to meet her favourite cricketer, Kohli.
Who can also forget Kohli meeting the 87-year-old Charulata Patel and taking her blessings during the 2019 CWC? As India prepares for its Test tour of England next month, fans will surely start feeling the absence of Kohli. Having followed Kohli’s journey across the globe, he has built a strong connection with the Indian fans.
Following in the footsteps of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, Kohli is one of the few Indian cricketers to have enjoyed such an immense and passionate fan following overseas. The familiar echoes of “Kohli, Kohli” from the stands will be missed dearly. Without him donning the whites, the experience will feel noticeably different for Indian fans. His presence has long been a symbol of intensity, pride, and excellence—qualities that will be sorely missed this summer in England.
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