One by one, India's cricketing legends—Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, and others- bid farewell, marking the end of a golden era. The generation that idolised them grew up, their childhood dreams slowly fading into the realities of adult life. Yet, amid all this change, one man stood firm: Virat Kohli, the last living connection to a once-glorious cricketing age.

Kohli's retirement from Test cricket, announced via Instagram on May 12, signals the end of an era. Following Rohit Sharma’s exit, Kohli’s decision left fans emotional and nostalgic. Known for his unmatched fitness, raw aggression, mental toughness, and burning will to win, Kohli redefined India’s approach to Test cricket. Though controversies followed him, he often responded with elegance and class, especially with his iconic cover drives.

Throughout his Test career, especially by his 100th Test, Kohli had amassed remarkable achievements alongside moments that drew criticism. Yet, his influence was undeniable — both as a player and as a captain. As the last flag-bearer of a star-studded generation, Kohli's retirement leaves a void that marks the true end of an unforgettable chapter in Indian cricket.

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Historic Series Win in Australia

Under Kohli’s captaincy, India won their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2019. It was a historic moment that fans had waited for many years. Kohli scored an important 82 runs in the first innings of the third Test in Melbourne, helping India win the series 2-1. Then-coach Ravi Shastri said, “Kohli’s captaincy made the difference on Australian soil.”

After this win, India became the No. 1 Test team in the ICC rankings. They stayed at the top for the next three years, beating almost every team both at home and away. India’s fast bowlers also reached world-class standards during this time.

Adelaide Test and the 2014 England Series

In 2014, during the Australia tour, Kohli got a chance to captain because of MS Dhoni’s injury. He brought a new fighting spirit to the team. In the Adelaide Test, he scored 115 in the first innings. India needed 364 runs to win. Kohli scored 141 in the second innings and almost took India to victory. The team lost by just 48 runs. Earlier that year, India lost the England series 2-1. After that, Kohli clearly said: India will always play to win. There is no space for defeat in this team.

The Captaincy Phase and Its End

Before the 2021 T20 World Cup, Kohli announced he would step down as T20 captain after the tournament. He wanted to continue in ODIS and Tests. His dream was to win the T20 World Cup before stepping aside. But India did not qualify for the semi-finals. They lost to Pakistan and New Zealand. After that, Kohli was removed as ODI captain — a decision he didn’t expect. It led to many controversies.

Even though he continued to score runs, many people pointed out that he had not won any ICC trophy as captain. A few days later, Kohli also stepped down as Test captain — this time by his own choice. The day after his father passed away, he still went out to bat—driven by passion and professionalism. He scored a fighting 90 off 238 balls while following on.

Virat himself once said, “The day I wake up and feel that my body is not responding, or my passion for cricket is gone, or I no longer feel the hunger to win—that will be the day I quit cricket.” 

This is Virat Kohli — a player who gave his heart, soul, and every ounce of passion to Indian cricket. Through every high and low, every cheer and controversy, he stood tall. With his exit, India hasn't just lost a player in the Red-Ball game — it has lost a symbol of its cricketing spirit. A true star has walked away.