New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s retirement announcement created a lot of stir on Monday, even if it is like coming for something. Over the last few days, as Timesofindia.com reported, the right -handed batsman indicated a step away in Australia. Nevertheless, he harassed the hopes of being a leader in England with Rohit Sharma. When that bid was turned down, the Control Board for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted for Shubman Gill, the writing was on the wall.36-year-old Kohli on Instagram wrote, “As I am away from this format, it’s not easy-but it seems right. I have given it everything that I have, and it is given to me a lot, as much as I could,”“I will always look at my test career with a smile. #269, signing,” he said.With Kohli’s retirement, India lost not only a mainstay at number 4 – a situation in which Sachin Tendulkar was the first and Kohli for more than three decades – but one of the batting forces.Certainly, his powers were on a decline over the years, but the overall Tally of his 9,230 runs placed him fourth among India’s highest test scorer. The list is starred by Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs) and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).Above and beyond pure run-scoring, Kohli’s leadership skill is another aspect that will be badly remembered. They may not have led the team since 2022, but their presence, animated gestures and energy were pumped. Even he had a last test in Sydney, Kohli led the lines with Rohit Sharma, not XI and Jasprit Bumrah, who played outside the field due to injury.
Kohli’s tireless and vocal leadership inspired India to become the top ranked test team. When India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018-19, Kohli became the first Asian captain to record a series as a win. This was followed by a 2–1 series lead in England, which eventually ended 2–2 after the Kovid-19 break.Beyond passion and intensity, figures also reveal a story that is visible – aligns with Kohli – Kohli was the best Indian captain and stood among his companions.
As Captain (2014–2022), Kohli racks numbers that make him India’s most successful Test captain. He led India in 68 matches, won 40, lost 17 and Drawing 11. Under them, India had a winning rate of 58.8%. Among the Indian captains leading in at least 10 matches, this is the best number. Kohli is behind Rohit Sharma (50%), MS Dhoni (45%), Sourav Ganguly (43%) and Rahul Dravid (32%).
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In terms of full numbers, India won 40 matches wearing a captaincy armband with Kohli. This was followed by Dhoni (27), Ganguly (21), Mohammad Azharuddin (14) and Rohit Sharma (12).Even on a global stage, Kohli’s number of leadership matches the great people of the game. Of the captains with at least 50 Tests, only more than 50%win percentage is percentage. Apart from Kohli, this list includes Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Honey Kronje, Michael Von, Sir Viv Richards and Mark Taylor.If you zoom in for their records, Kohli also led India in most matches won at home. He played an important role in India’s unbeaten line at home which ran from 2012 to 2024.Who is that IPL player?
Kohli -led India won 24 tests of 31 on domestic soil, only Smith’s South Africa (30 wins in 53) and Ponting (29 wins in 39).Among Indians, MS Dhoni won 21 home tests before Azharuddin (13) and Ganguly, Rohit (10).Captain runs along with armband
Another challenging aspect of a test captain is to continue the flow of run. Even if they wear the captain’s armband, the run or wicket column cannot dry up. This is a hallmark of great players who become even more leaders. And Kohli ticks both boxes during his captaincy rule.Despite additional pressure, Kohli was the highest run scorer among Indian test captains. He scored 5864 runs as India Test Captain, with 20 centuries and 18 half -centuries at an average of 54.80. His highest test score against South Africa – 254 – came when he was the captain.It is worth exposing that Kohli had 63% of his career test runs when he was the captain of the Indian cricket team.Dhoni (3454 runs), Sunil Gavaskar (3449 runs), Azharuddin (2856 runs) and Ganguly (2561) behind him. When it was seen from a batting average perspective, Kohli, once again, leads the charts after Tendulkar (51.35), Gavaskar (50.72), Dravid (44.51) and Azharuddin (43.93).Once again, Kohli was there when against captains around the world. The 36 -year -old created 20 centuries as a Test captain, the second highest after Graeme Smith (28).
He also made seven double centuries – most of all captains. His 5864 Test runs as the captain is the fourth highest for any player, Smith (8659 runs), Border (6623) and Ponting (6542).Among the Indian captains, Kohli scored the most runs on the soil of the house. Out of the average 31 matches of 67.60, he has 2907 runs, Gavaskar (2426), Dhoni (1863), Mak Pataudi (1481) and Azharuddin (1339).As soon as Kohli went to sunset, India would be poor at number 4, with runs on the scorecard, the accused attitude and leadership, even though he had let the armband go three years ago.
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