Top five Test knocks by Virat Kohli in Test Cricket: A tribute to his red-ball legacy

Virat Kohli didn’t just play cricket; he has carried the game in his legacy, and finally, the legend has announced his retirement from the red ball format on Monday. The former captain took to his social media handle and shared the news of his retirement with his fans. The retirement followed by Rohit Sharma, who also retired from the format a few days ago. With the retirement, the duo will now only feature in the ODI Cricket.

Ending a magnificent career of 14 years, Kohli said bye to the formal,t having played a total of 123 Test matches and 210 innings where he amassed 9230 runs. So, now take a look at the players’ Best five test Knocks by Virat Kohli in Test Cricket.

List of the top five Knocks of Kohli in Tests

 254 not out vs South Africa, Pune 2019

Virat Kohli’s best knock and even his Test Career highest score came when Kohli played against South Africa. This double century is special for him as it marked his 7th double hundred and also helped him cross the mark of 7000 runs in the Test format. Scoring a monumental 254 off 336 balls*, he delivered one of the most iconic performances of his Test Career. Playing with a strike rate of 75.60, Kohli smashed 33 boundaries and 2 sixes and accounted for over 42% of the team’s total and a dominant win over West Indies by 137 runs.

141 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2014

This innings led him from a talented start to an emerging legend, and it was one of those innings that shaped King Kohli’s journey in Test Cricket. Chasing a score of 364 against Aussies, Kohli became the first Indian to hit twin centuries on Test Captaincy Debut in a single Test match. Scoring centuries in both innings of the match—115 in the first and a valiant 141 in the second, Kohli delivered another breathtaking performance but despite his efforts India fell short by 48 runs, But his tally of 256 runs has established him one of the most courageous future batter of Indian cricket, making it his best memorable Test Outings.

123 vs Australia, Perth, 2018

On a pitch that tests every batter’s technique and temperament, Kohli delivered a masterclass and even left Justin Langer declaring, “Virat Kohli is the best player I have seen in my life.” Aussies started strong and had reduced India to 8/2 with Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood wrecking the top order, but then Kohli came and stood on the field like he never left, roaring high. His innings not only steadied India but also shifted the momentum with sheer grit and elegance. Celebrating his century with understated defiance, Kohli sent a clear message to the world: he doesn’t need words—his bat speaks loud enough.

149 vs England, Edgbaston, 2018

With the boos from the Birmingham crowd, Kohli led Indian team innings with a fiery knock of 149. His return to England was charged with emotion, tension, and unfinished business. Coming off a poor tour in 2014, all eyes were on Kohli. He started slow but then led the team and attacked when the Team needed him the most, filling the close gap when India was trailing over 100 runs. His 149-run knock was his first Test century in England and a big moment of redemption. Although India lost the match by 31 runs, Kohli’s performance won him applause from the same crowd that had booed him earlier. 

235 vs England, Mumbai, 2016

This was Virat Kohli at his brilliant best — not just as a batter, but also as a captain leading from the front. Facing England at their home for the fourth test of the tour, India was chasing their first Test series win over England since 2008, and that can’t be possible without King Kohli’s contribution in it. Kohli stepped in style at Wankhede and delivered a masterclass with his bat, scoring a  magnificent 235, his highest test score at that time. His knock helped India post a mammoth total of 631 and win the match by innings and 36 runs. It wasn’t just a personal milestone, it was a statement that broke England’s spirit and sealed a memorable series for the Indian team at their home.