Indian cricket has seen many Test captains. Some tacticians, some motivators, some silent warriors. But none—none—like Virat Kohli. As the King walks away from the whites, we're not just closing a chapter—we're shutting down a whole era. Who thought that one day Virat Kohli will retire from Tests via a social media post and not a roaring farewell?
There was a time when Team India drawing even a single Test in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) series was considered an achievement. Enter Kohli. Draw? What's that? Under him, India didn't play for survival. It played to dominate. In 23 SENA Tests in which Kohli captained, India won 7 and drew 3.
Overall, 68 Tests as captain. 40 wins. The most successful Indian Test captain. Period. But wait—Virat’s impact? Way bigger than stats. He took the oldest format and made it feel cool. He turned the Indian dressing room into a fortress of fitness.
India, once the land of legendary spinners, suddenly had a fast-bowling cartel that could terrorise batters anywhere, anytime. Shami, Bumrah, Siraj, Ishant, Umesh—his chosen warriors. They weren’t just bowling spells, they were serving vengeance.
And let’s be real—Virat wasn't just a captain. He was the poster boy of Test cricket. Literally. Even after he stepped down, and Team India toured a country, it was Virat who made it to the hoardings and not the current captain. That’s legacy. That’s superstardom.
He didn’t just lead. He transformed. He inspired. He made Test cricket feel like a five-day theatre production with blood, sweat, drama, and fire.
And now... he’s gone. Well, the whites are gone. But make no mistake—the crown is still very much on. The game will move on. The scoreboard will tick. But the Kohli-sized hole in Indian Test cricket? That’s not getting filled anytime soon.
