Virat Kohli: The Last Gladiator Of Indian Test Cricket Bows Out

"Either you die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain," this famous quote from Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' often reflects the fragile nature of greatness. But for someone like Virat Kohli, it holds no meaning. He was a hero, he remains one, and his relevance in the world of cricket is eternal.

Kohli, the then captain of India, responded to the criticism that fast bowler Mohammed Shami received on social media after India lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets in their opening T20 World Cup 2021 match. With numbers of 3.5-0-43-0, Shami was India's most costly bowler that evening. His social media profiles, especially Instagram, became the veritable playground to test the country's free speech against hate.

"To me, attacking someone over their religion is the most, I would say, pathetic thing that a human being can do. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion and what they feel about certain situations, but I personally have never ever even thought of discriminating [against] anyone over their religion," said Kohli. "That is a very sacred and personal thing to every human being, and that should be left there."

This is what defined Kohli, not the cricketer but Kohli, the leader 바카라� one who stands like a wall to shield and protect his teammates.

On May 12, 2025, he bade adieu to Test cricket. Kohli, one of India's fiercest sporting personalities, cited that he is "done" with the format. It was one career that not only served in the traditional format for 14 long years but also made it the most loved one. This inevitably is the closing of a chapter soaked in fire, fight, and a ferocious will to win.

Test cricket was the format that not only made Kohli the cricketer but also shaped the fighter in the former India captain. The aggression, fighting spirit, and giving it back -- it all came through this format only. He wasn't satisfied with merely competing abroad; instead, he demanded authority and victory. And it all started Down Under.

Australia was the canvas that, if any, best reflected Kohli's fire and flair. Indian teams had been travelling to Australia for decades, but returning with empty trophy cabinets and shattered egos. But Kohli changed the course, and in a big way. It all started in Australia. Kohli the batter became a warrior, and Kohli the captain became a conqueror.

When India won a series on Australian soil for the first time in their Test history during the 2018바카라�19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, it was his most memorable moment as captain. Despite not having the most hits (that distinction went to Cheteshwar Pujara), Kohli's impact was incalculable.

On a bouncy pitch in Perth, where the series was on the verge of collapse, his knock of 123 was a lesson in grit. The message was more important than statistics, and of course, the result. Every action made by Kohli, including his fervent jubilation, aggressive finger-pointing, and body language, sent a statement: that India were present to rule, not merely to exist.

One must revisit Kohli's lowest point, that tour of England in 2014, to comprehend the enormity of his influence. James Anderson experimented with Kohli's style, dismissing him five times and revealing a clear weakness in his play. Critics primed their pens, and some even doubted the captain's red-ball career.

Kohli wasn't finished, though. After returning to the nets and consulting with others, including the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, he came back stronger. Technical faults ironed out, and mental demons conquered, he scored 593 runs in five Test matches, including 114 against Anderson alone. And thus, four years later, Kohli destroyed England on their home turf.

His Test career is one of greatness, interspersed with a few glaring setbacks. With 1721 runs at 46.51 in his first 24 Test matches, Kohli's early years were steady rather than outstanding. However, following the horrors of the 2014 England trip, in which he managed just 134 runs in 10 innings, he underwent a significant metamorphosis.

That setback turned out to be the turning moment. Only Steven Smith and Joe Root outscored him between late 2014 and the end of 2019, with the former being the only player with 1000 or more runs to average higher than the India great.

Between the middle of 2016 and the end of 2018, Kohli's peak was characterised by dominance and volume. His remarkable spell of six double centuries in just 34 innings, second only to Don Bradman's golden run, began with his first Test double hundred at North Sound.

In addition to dominating the scoring charts during that time, Kohli outperformed his "Fab Four" rivals in almost every parameter. Already a beast at home conditions, Kohli's away credentials were strengthened during that run -- a redeeming 593-run show in England in 2018 and a tally of 692 runs in the 2014바카라�15 Australia series.

In South Africa too, Kohli proved to be India's most reliable batter, highlighting not only his craft and skill but also his fortitude in the face of difficulty. Overall, with an average of 2.7 times higher than his teammates, he was the leader of the travelling pack.

With 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 games, including 30 hundreds, Kohli concluded his Test career. Even while these figures are impressive, they merely scrape the surface of his impact.

He led India in 68 Test matches as captain, recording the most victories of any Indian captain with 40. He made India a formidable touring force, helped grow fast bowling depth, and demanded an unparalleled level of fitness from his teammates. The often contested yo-yo test and his fixation on intensity became legends.

Kohli transformed a competitive side into a lethal outfit. India no longer felt uneasy taking on overseas assignments under his leadership. They smelled victory in Nottingham, Adelaide, and Johannesburg -- some of the toughest venues for any visiting side.

The story of Kohli's journey is likewise one of metamorphosis. Kohli's development was evident, methodical, and profoundly human -- from the brazen Delhi kid who gave the finger to a hostile Sydney Cricket Ground crowd in 2012 to the seasoned leader who requested Indian fans to stop jeering Steve Smith at the 2019 World Cup.

Even though he occasionally overplayed his emotions, he realised the responsibility that came with wearing the India badge. He may have played with all the ferocity of a metalhead, but within, he remains a man who loves the game's traditions.

When Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013, Kohli took over the sacred No. 4 in Tests. For over three decades, fans never had to worry about who would bat there. Tendulkar scored 13,492 runs at No. 4, and Kohli 7,564 -- a continuity never seen in Indian cricket.

Post Kohli-era, India now grapple with one uncomfortable question: Who is next? For the first time since 1992, there is no clear heir to the No. 4 throne in Tests. The transition that once felt effortless now seems uncertain.

According to former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell, "Sourav Ganguly gave Indian cricket a new spine. MS Dhoni brought ice-cold leadership and white-ball dominance. But Kohli? Kohli lit the fire.바카라�

In India, such a fire elevated fast bowling to a dazzling sport. Test victories abroad became expectations rather than fantasies as a result. It required extreme ambition, perspiration, and scars.

Kohli indeed changed the definition of what it meant to be an Indian Test cricket player. He played with dramatic rage, pointing, yelling, and glaring, upending the conventional playbook that emphasised silent tenacity. He was a theatre cricket, and that was appropriate for the period.

With a sad Instagram post, Kohli announced his retirement. Though some would have envisioned a more traditional approach instead of sticking with his mic-drop image, it might have been poetic. After all, he is 'King Kohli', and he always leaves of his own accord.

He will never again strike a swaggering pose while launching into a cover drive in whites. He will never again unleash his full-fledged passion from the slip cordon on the opposition. But he has left behind an unrivalled playbook.

Kohli was the lifeblood of India's Test team for 14 years, and he was more than just a player. He leaves with a smile and an unmatched legacy. Test cricket may never be as intense as it was during the Kohli era, but it will continue.