At dawn on a pale pastel morning in late January, thousands of fans queued outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, eagerly awaiting the chance to see Virat Kohli play his first domestic red-ball match for Delhi in 12 years. The scene quickly turned chaotic, with scuffles breaking out, injuries, and police intervention. Kohli, however, had arrived two days earlier, choosing to beat the crowds and fit in a gym session before team fitness drills and net practice. Despite being out of form, Kohli’s devotion to the game led him to this one last attempt at Test cricket, an enduring quest for excellence that had defined his career.
Though Kohli was dismissed for just six runs in his final innings against Railways, what lingers in the memory is not the score, but his unwavering commitment to the game. Kohli’s career was marked by countless moments of struggle and perseverance, particularly when facing fierce bowlers on testing pitches. It was not always easy for Kohli, especially during his early years when he was considered a white-ball specialist. Critics doubted his ability to succeed in Test cricket, given his fiery temperament and aggressive approach.
But Kohli’s love for the five-day game, coupled with his relentless drive, propelled him to unprecedented heights. His 593 runs in the 2018 series against England were a testament to his determination, as he continued to refine his technique and mental strength. Four years earlier, he had struggled against Jimmy Anderson, but Kohli responded by immersing himself in hours of video analysis and technical adjustments, ensuring he was ready for the next challenge. This relentless pursuit of improvement became the hallmark of his Test career.
Kohli’s dominance in Test cricket was not simply a result of talent but a manifestation of his intense work ethic and passion for the game. He transformed not just his own game but also elevated the standards of Indian cricket. Kohli’s focus on fitness, mental fortitude, and competitive spirit set a new bar for cricketers, inspiring future generations to treat Test cricket as a sacred challenge, one that required total dedication.
His legacy extends beyond his runs and centuries. Kohli’s fierce competitiveness and on-field intensity became iconic, particularly against Australia, where he excelled under the pressure of hostile crowds and aggressive sledging. His aggressive attitude on the field, combined with his exemplary fitness, turned him into one of the most formidable cricketers of his era.
But Kohli’s contributions to cricket weren’t limited to his personal achievements. He believed in the importance of preserving Test cricket and constantly advocated for its growth and development. While other cricketers, such as Jos Buttler or Mahendra Singh Dhoni, could have focused on the shorter formats and secured their legacies, Kohli remained committed to the long-form game. His resistance to the dominance of Twenty20 cricket highlighted his belief in Test cricket’s significance, both in terms of its intrinsic value and its role in fostering the next generation of cricketers.
Kohli’s retirement, along with the departures of other cricketing greats, signals a shift in the landscape of Test cricket. While the game faces challenges, Kohli’s legacy will inspire young players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who are already stepping into the void. Kohli’s career showed that cricket is a unified whole, where every format is connected by the same principles of dedication and passion. As Kohli leaves the stage, the torch passes to a new generation, one that must carry forward the lessons learned from his pursuit of excellence. The future of Test cricket depends on continuing to value the format’s challenges and its role in the broader landscape of the sport.
