Virat Kohli Test Career

Virat Kohli’s Test career is a story of relentless ambition, remarkable consistency, and a legacy that has reshaped Indian cricket. As one of the most celebrated cricketers of his generation, Kohli’s journey in Test cricket is filled with milestones, records, and unforgettable moments. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Virat Kohli’s Test career, including his stats, achievements, records, debut, last match, and the reasons behind his retirement.

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Virat Kohli Test Career Stats

Virat Kohli played 123 Test matches for India from 2011 to 2025, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. He struck 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a highest score of 254* and a strike rate of 55.57. These numbers place him as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer, behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Complete Test Career Stats

Debut and Last Test Match

• Test Debut: Virat Kohli made his Test debut in June 2011 against the West Indies.
• Last Test: His final appearance was in early 2025, before India’s tour of England, officially announcing his retirement on May 12, 2025.

Test Cricket Achievements and Major Records

Virat Kohli achieved a lot in his Test career.

1. As the captain of India, Kohli had the largest number of Test Matches, with 68, and the team recorded 40 wins from these, which is 58.82% of the matches he led.
2. Captain of the First Indian Victory on Australian Soil: The feat of winning in Australia for the first time was achieved under his captaincy in the 2018-19 series.
3. According to statistics, Kohli has scored more runs as captain for India than any other Indian captain.
4. Debuting as India’s captain, he is the only one to have scored twin centuries (115 and 141) in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
5. Kohli reached 7,000 runs in cricket in only 138 innings, which is among the fastest by anybody.
6. Highest Centuries in One Tour to an Overseas Country: In the 2014-15 series in Australia, he scored four centuries, which is a record for any Indian.
7. Kohli scored 1,322 runs in 2018, placing him among the list of cricketers who scored the most in one year.

Milestones and Notable Performances

1. 2014 England Struggle and Comeback: After a tough 2014 England tour (134 runs in 10 innings), Kohli bounced back in 2018 with 593 runs at an average of 59.30 in England.
2. Double Hundreds: Kohli has the second-most double hundreds in a series for India (vs Sri Lanka, 2017-18).
3. Consistent SENA Performances: He made significant contributions in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia, stamping his authority worldwide.

Phases of Kohli’s Test Career

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricketer, analyzed Kohli’s career in three phases:

2011–Sept 2014: Avg.. 39.5

Oct 2014–Dec 2019: Avg.. 63.6 (peak years)

Jan 2020–Retirement: Avg 30.7 (decline in form)

Despite a dip in the final phase, Kohli’s overall average remained a strong 46.81.

Retirement: When, Where, and Why

On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli officially retired from Test cricket by posting a message to his fans on social media, a few days before the England series.

The Causes of Retirement

Kohli’s hitting average dropped during the final part of his career, and he scored fewer centuries.

According to available information, Kohli intended to keep leading India, yet the BCCI wanted someone younger as their Test captain.

From talking to ex-players, it was clear that Kohli got tired of the challenges in Tests and believed the board was not helping him as before.

Virat Kohli’s Test Legacy

His Test performances have shaped how Indian cricket has developed, with Virat leading the team aggressively, ambitiously, and eager to be the best.

His achievements in leading the team and batting continue to set new records, while his passion for Test cricket encouraged many fans. Even though Kohli has retired, his influence on Indian cricket will last for many years.

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