Virat Kohli was the last great test superstar of India’s golden era

Virat Kohli

On a quiet Monday morning, when most of the cricketing world was awaiting updates on the rescheduled IPL, Virat Kohli quietly announced his retirement from Test cricket. No press conference. No farewell lap. Just a message on Instagram, minimal, heartfelt, and final. In that one post, the last great red-ball gladiator of Indian cricket walked away, not just from a format, but from a cause he championed with every inch of his being.

King Kohli leaves just days after Rohit Sharma hung up his boots in Tests. Add to that the IPL’s abrupt pause, and you’re left with a week that feels like the end of a glorious era. Kohli’s retirement doesn’t just mark the exit of one of India’s most successful Test batters and skippers, it’s the exit of Test cricket’s most passionate advocate.

Kohli didn’t merely play Test cricket; he headlined it. When the format was gasping for attention amid T20 explosions, Kohli roared in whites. The world first saw a glimpse of that fire on his debut in 2011, a time when the IPL had already started seducing a new generation with its glamour and speed. But Kohli brought theatre to the long format. He made batting in whites feel like a battle, slip catches like moments of drama, and draws like moral victories.

In his farewell note, he wrote, "It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life. There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever."

Bringing religious zeal to physical fitness 

Perhaps Kohli's most profound impact wasn’t just in the runs or wins, it was in setting the gold standard for physical conditioning. Introducing the Yo-Yo Test as a non-negotiable selection criterion marked a seismic cultural shift in Indian cricket. Before Kohli, fitness was encouraged. Under Kohli, it became a religion.

It didn’t matter if you were a legend or a rookie, if you didn’t pass the Yo-Yo test, you didn’t play. And Kohli, of course, led by example. His dedication inspired a visible transformation: India's fielding became sharper, stamina levels soared, and more significantly, the fast-bowling unit started to consistently touch speeds over 140 kmph.

Suddenly, India wasn't just competing abroad but intimidating opponents. Who can forget the 2018-19 tour to Australia? Indian pacers had Aussie batsmen hopping, ducking, and even getting hit on the helmet. Long seen as the bullies of world cricket, the Aussies were now being bullied by India's pace battery!

It was India’s first Test series win on Australian soil. Although Kohli didn’t score a mountain of runs that series, the blueprint was all his. Aggression, fitness, relentlessness - that was Kohli’s Team India.

Kohli’s stats will hard to top

The numbers, of course, are brilliant. He played 123 Tests and made 9,230 runs, hitting 30 centuries along with 7 double hundreds. A career average of 46.85. Add to that the 40 wins as captain in 68 Tests, the most by any Indian skipper.

Kohli’s greatness, however, isn’t housed in spreadsheets. It’s in how he made us feel. His Test centuries were not just knocks; they were declarations of intent. His sledges were strategic. His celebrations were visceral. And through it all, he managed to keep Test cricket at the centre of India’s cricketing conscience.

Who will fill the void?

As he walks away, a looming question stares at us - Who Sells Test Cricket Now? Because that’s what Kohli did, day in and day out - he sold Test cricket. Without a script or marketing budget, he made five-day games look like captivating five-act dramas.

So who does that now? Cricket boards have long taken Test cricket for granted. But passion doesn’t guarantee viewership. In today’s media-saturated world, Test cricket, more than any other format, needs aggressive branding, and narrative-building. And that’s the part Kohli handled better than anyone for he made red-ball cricket feel urgent.

Modern cricket isn’t one format anymore but a multiverse. You have the IPL and other franchise leagues minting money. You have T20s dominating prime-time slots. ODIs are struggling for space. And then there’s Test cricket, which is traditional and increasingly endangered. In such a complex ecosystem, Test cricket isn’t just another format. It’s the emotional core of the sport. But emotions don’t pay bills.

That’s why Kohli mattered so much. He was the rare blend of commercial appeal and old-school grit. His commitment gave broadcasters faith. His presence made sponsors care. He created value where there was declining interest.

With Kohli gone, the system must evolve. Should cricket boards designate brand ambassadors for the format? Should platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime be roped in to create more long-form, behind-the-scenes Test documentaries? Should Test tours be reimagined like premium sports content-with trailers, promo reels, storytelling hooks?

If Kohli was the last great Test superstar of the “passion alone” era, then the next generation may need more structural and marketing support. And yet, maybe this is the shake-up Test cricket needs. Kohli’s retirement, while heartbreaking, also creates an urgency to reassess.

There is no replacing Kohli. But perhaps the next gladiator is watching. Or better yet, preparing. Until then, the rest of us, the fans, writers and administrators have a responsibility. To carry the torch. To tell the stories. To remind the world why Test cricket matters.

For if King Kohli gave it heart, it’s now time for the game’s ecosystem to discover some new Princes and give Test Cricket a worthy future!