An era comes to an end as India's modern day great calls it a day in whites

In an emotional statement that has teared up fans from around the world , Virat Kohli confirmed his retirement from Test cricket. After 14 great years in whites, the former captain of India took to Instagram to give a message of introspection, gratitude and accomplishment. "It has been 14 years since I put on the baggy blue of Test cricket. To be honest, I never thought about the journey I would go through in this format.  It has pushed me, shaped me and taught me lessons I can take for a lifetime," wrote Kohli.

Within the emotional post, Kohli focused on the personal aspect of Test cricket — the “quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but stay with you forever." There is no doubt why he was such a strong advocate for the longest format. "It's not easy for me to leave this format as it is my favourite but it is right - I have given all that I had and it has given me back so much more than I could have ever wished to hope for," he said and finished with a final powerful one-liner: "#269, signing off."

Kohli’s importance to Indian Test cricket can’t be summed up by 8,848 runs, 29 centuries or in the 113 numbers of matches that he played – instead, it is all about the aggression, the intensity and the pride he displayed every time he stood between the stumps wearing whites. India under his captaincy transformed into an aggressive heavyweight, especially overseas, with historic wins in Australia and competitiveness in England and South Africa. As Kohli puts on his Test boots for the last time, here is a look at five of Virat Kohli’s best Test innings – innings that made him a part of cricketing folklore. 

1.  141 vs Australia, Adelaide (2014) 

A captain’s innings in his first Test as captain 

Kohli’s first match as captain was episodic, from batting for the history books chasing a challenging fourth innings target, the statements of fearless leadership were all there in his 141, although India lost the match, it was the starting point on the verge of a new era and an aggressive one at that. 

2.  149 vs England, Edgbaston (2018)

Shutting the critics up in English conditions.

After a poor tour in 2014, Kohli showed exactly why he is a world class player with a superb 149 on a challenging pitch at Edgbaston. Technically gifted, Kohli not only shut the critics up, but defied the conditions and his ability to remain unfazed under pressure was reaffirming for him personally and India as well, as they struggled to stay competitive in the Test series, a valuable innings at a very testing time in identifying his growth as a complete Test batsman.

3. 200 vs West Indies, North Sound (2016)

The first double ton that started him what became a flood of double tons.

Kohli's first double hundred came with command; he outclassed the West Indies bowlers with calmness and control. This innings initiated a column of double tons in the next few series, showing a budding ability to construct some monster scores.

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4. 123 vs Australia, Perth (2018)

A one-man show of heroics on a lively pitch. 
Kohli fought like a warrior, and scored a silky 123 on a bowler's pitch. His textbook technique was striking as he held the innings together while wickets tumbled around him. Test-match resolute cricket was on display.

5. 254 vs South Africa, Pune (2019)

A career-high innings of total and complete dominance.

This unbeaten double hundred is still Kohli's highest score in test cricket. His innings illustrated all of the traits of patience, power, and precision to eclipse South Africa and win massively. It reflected a batter at the very summit of his powers.

As Kohli expressed in his farewell statement:

"I walk away with a heart full of gratitude- gratitude for the game, for the players I played with, and for everyone who saw me along the way." Virat Kohli's Test retirement is not just the end of a career; it is the end of an era of modern Indian cricket. He will be missed immensely, but reminisced by future generations who grew up watching No. 18 play the game with fire in his soul and pride in his heart.

Farewell, King Kohli — Test cricket was richer because of you.