The cricketing world is yet to come to grips with the shocking and sudden Test retirement of Virat Kohli on Monday, May 12. The 36-year-old set social media ablaze by penning an emotional post on Instagram, saying bye to a format that was very close to his heart - Test cricket. Tributes are still pouring in from all quarters for Kohli, and why not? Over the 14 glorious years in whites, the star batter has won many epic matches and has brought unparalleled energy to the longest format of the game.
Kohli finishes his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 Test matches, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. He finishes as India's fourth-highest run-getter in the Test format. However, the 36-year-old finishes his longest format as India's most successful Test captain, with 40 wins from 68 matches that he has led.
He also became the first Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar series. However, beyond the great numbers, many experts believe Kohli's impact is far greater as he filled two massive voids left by Indian icons - Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.
Former India cricketers in awe of Virat Kohli's stunning impact in Tests
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa paid a fitting tribute to Virat Kohli's dual legacy aptly on Star Sports: "He wore two crowns when he landed in Test cricket. India needed an incredible batter after Sachin Tendulkar and a great captain after MS Dhoni. Interestingly, Virat filled both of these shoes. That is his legacy in Test cricket."
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Former CSK star Suresh Raina also echoed the same sentiments of Uthappa, praising Kohli's super levels of intensity and great leadership skills.
"The fitness, fighting spirit, and the brand has become - I have not seen a player like him," Raina also recalled Kohli's debut Test series in West Indies in 2011, facing the fiery pace of Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampul, saying, "He did not care about the helmet being hit. He wanted to play strongly. That attitude is what changed the table for India. He is one of the best."
Suresh Raina effusive in praise of Virat Kohli's inspirational leadership in overseas victories
The southpaw also stated that Kohli is not only a batter but also a stupendous leader in India's historic away wins in SENA countries. Kohli is the only Asian captain to register double victories in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and England. Among the Indian captains, the 36-year-old has the most away victories.
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With Kohli stepping away from Test cricket, India and the global cricket audience have truly lost a superstar who carried charisma, grit, and an insatiable appetite to always win games for India.
