Virat Kohli is known for his aggression, a characteristic that played a significant role in shaping India into one of the dominant Test cricket nations in the world over the past decade.
In 2014, following a downturn in Test cricket where India slipped to 6th position in the Test rankings after two years of poor overseas performances during the Australia tour, then-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket after the third Test at the MCG. This led to 26-year-old Virat Kohli being appointed as Dhoni's successor for the longer formats of the game.
Virat Kohli Rose to the Challenge and Delivered
Kohli's start as Test captain was marked by challenges, as the team around him was somewhat unstable, and in 2015, India dropped to 7th in the Test rankings. Kohli faced a significant challenge with India's tour of Sri Lanka, a team ranked above them, where India hadn't won a Test series in Sri Lanka for 22 years. However, Kohli and his squad, featuring young talents like Mohammed Shami, Ravi Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, managed to defeat Sri Lanka 2-1, marking India’s first series win in Sri Lanka since 1993. This victory was a major turning point in Kohli's career and represented the beginning of a new era in Indian Test cricket.
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Years later, when New Zealand toured India for a three-match Test series, Kohli and his team achieved a remarkable 3-0 whitewash, taking home the series trophy and pushing India to 1st in the ICC rankings. This marked a significant milestone for Kohli's captaincy.
Virat Kohli's Dominance in SENA
Virat Kohli's dominance in overseas Test cricket was unprecedented among former captains, as he shaped Indian Test cricket with his aggressive approach on the field. His batting also became a crucial factor as India managed to beat Australia 2-1 for the first time. Key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami performed exceptionally well in the Australian conditions.
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Virat Kohli further solidified his leadership by leading India to a 2-1 victory against England in 2021, famously stating, “For 60 overs, they should feel like hell out there,” after India leveled the series with a win at Lord’s, although the series remained unfinished due to COVID-19.
Additionally, he achieved another impressive feat by clean-sweeping the West Indies 2-0 in 2016 and again in 2019, becoming the first Asian captain to accomplish this in Caribbean conditions. Kohli was also India's top run-scorer in both series played in the Caribbean.
Virat Kohli's Records as Test Captain
- Matches - 68
- Wins - 40
- Losses - 17
- Draws - 11
- Win Percentage - 58.32%
Virat Kohli's Achievements as Test Captain
- Most Overseas wins - 16 out of 36 matches
- Most wins at home - 24 out of 36 matches
- Most series wins - 18 out of 24 series
- Only Asian Captain to secure two Boxing Day test victories in 2018 and 2021
- ICC Test Captain of the Decade (2010- 2020)
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