NEW DELHI: With Virat Kohli announcing his retirement from Test cricket, an era comes to a close, not just for Indian cricket, but for the sport globally. While his batting records are impressive, Kohli’s most enduring legacy may well be his tenure as India’s Test captain, where he transformed the team’s identity with aggression, intensity, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Appointed full-time Test captain in 2015 following MS Dhoni’s retirement from the format, Kohli led India in 68 Tests, winning 40, making him the most successful Test captain in the country’s history. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!But his impact was far deeper than numbers. He instilled a winning mentality, placed fitness at the forefront of team culture, and championed a fast-bowling revolution that made India a formidable force in all conditions. Under Kohli, India registered historic overseas series victories, most notably their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018-19.
Virat Kohli as Test Captain in SENA countries:
- Matches Played – 23
- Matches won – 7
- Matches lost – 13
- Matches drawn – 3
It was a landmark achievement that ended decades of frustration Down Under and established India as a team capable of winning abroad, not just competing. Kohli’s side also topped the ICC Test rankings for five consecutive years and qualified for the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021. What made Kohli’s leadership stand out was his fierce competitiveness. Whether at home or overseas, Kohli led from the front, often setting the tone with bold declarations, aggressive field settings, and spirited celebrations. He wasn’t afraid to take risks, back underperforming players, or demand more from his side, even when facing criticism. While his leadership style wasn’t without its detractors, marked at times by on-field confrontations and a fiery persona, Kohli never shied away from responsibility. He carried the weight of expectations with pride and left Indian Test cricket in a stronger place than he found it. As Kohli walks away from the longest format, his era will be remembered not just for the wins, but for redefining what it meant to be an Indian Test cricketer in the modern era.
