Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday congratulated Virat Kohli on an illustrious Test career, calling it a chapter that redefined excellence, leadership, and commitment in Indian cricket.
Kohli, who officially retired from the longest format earlier this year, leaves behind a legacy that not only took Indian cricket to new heights globally but also reignited public passion for Test cricket at a time when limited-overs formats had become the focal point.
“Virat Kohli’s name will be remembered alongside the finest ever to have graced Test cricket,” said BCCI President Roger Binny. “What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs, but his commitment to excellence in the toughest format of the game. His leadership marked a shift in how India competed overseas—with aggression, belief, and a refusal to settle for second best.”
Debuting in 2011 against the West Indies, Kohli’s red-ball journey spanned 14 years, during which he featured in 123 Test matches, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
His captaincy record is equally formidable—40 wins in 68 Tests, making him India’s most successful Test captain. Under his stewardship, India rose to the No. 1 ranking and maintained the top spot for 42 consecutive months. The team recorded historic overseas victories in Australia, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, while remaining unbeaten in a Test series at home throughout his tenure.
One of the defining moments of his leadership came in the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia. His twin centuries in Adelaide on captaincy debut in 2014 had already signalled his aggressive intent and uncompromising brand of cricket.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said Kohli was not just an ambassador of Test cricket, but “a true guardian.”
“He led from the front, drove standards higher, and placed unmatched emphasis on fitness, discipline, and mental toughness. His batting performances—especially in challenging overseas conditions—have become reference points for future cricketers,” said Saikia. “He retires from this format as India’s most successful Test captain, setting the bar very high for the next generation.”
Beyond numbers and victories, the BCCI lauded Kohli for instilling a combative and professional culture within the Indian team. His tenure inspired a generation to embrace Test cricket as the ultimate test of character and skill, the board noted.
UNI
