By Priyanka Roshan | May 12, 2025
On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, closing a remarkable 14-year career. As Cap No. 269, he played 123 Tests, scored 9,230 runs, and hit 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His legacy in the longest format is undeniable.
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While his white-ball fame spread globally, Kohli’s Test career showcased his leadership, resilience, and unmatched brilliance. Here are six of his most iconic performances.
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On his first South Africa tour, Kohli tackled Steyn and Morkel with calm assurance, scoring 119 and 96. It was a coming-of-age performance against the world’s best pace attack.
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Kohli’s captaincy debut saw twin hundreds under pressure. His fourth-innings 141, chasing 364, was aggressive and fearless—epitomising a shift in India’s overseas mindset, despite the narrow loss.
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Kohli’s 235 at Wankhede was a masterclass in discipline and flair. On a turning track, he blunted England’s spinners and batted India into a dominant position to win the Test.
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Answering critics from the 2014 tour, Kohli scored a gritty 149 at Edgbaston. He fought Anderson and Broad brilliantly, dragging India close in tough English conditions. Redemption was complete.
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A lone warrior in Centurion, Kohli’s 153 came as wickets fell around him. Facing relentless pace, he showed incredible mental strength on a challenging surface with no support from others.
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Kohli’s unbeaten 254 in Pune was vintage dominance. Patient, precise, and punishing, he controlled the tempo from start to finish, powering India to an innings victory and series win.
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Kohli’s greatness wasn’t just in stats—it was how he led from the front, thrived overseas, and delivered under pressure. His Test retirement ends an era, but the impact endures.
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