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What Is Virat Kohli's ICC All-Time Test Ranking? Where Does He Rank Among The Greats?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli [Source: @ImTanujSingh/x.com]Virat Kohli [Source: @ImTanujSingh/x.com]

Virat Kohli's Test ranking journey represents one of the most remarkable career trajectories in cricket history. When he made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, Kohli received his first ICC batting ranking at 149th position. This humble beginning would eventually lead to historic heights that no Indian player had ever achieved before

The Steady Climb to Greatness

The climb was steady and relentless. By January 2012, Kohli had broken into the top 50 after scoring his first Test century in Adelaide. A year later, he reached the top 20, and by February 2014, he made his first appearance in the top 10. His ascent reflected not just numerical improvement but a fundamental transformation in his approach to Test cricket.

Peak Performance and Historic Achievement

The pinnacle came during the 2018 tour of England. Following exceptional knocks of 97 and 103 at Trent Bridge, Kohli dethroned Steve Smith to become the world's number one-ranked Test batter. Later that month, he achieved his career-best rating of 937 points, still the highest ever achieved by an Indian in Test cricket in all disciplines.

All-Time Test Ranking Position

According to the ICC All-Time Test Batting Rankings, Kohli holds the 11th position with his peak rating of 937 points, achieved against England on August 22, 2018. This places him among cricket's absolute elite, sharing the same rating as Australia's Marnus Labuschagne and just one point behind legends such as Kumar Sangakkara, Gary Sobers, Viv Richards and Clyde Walcott, who all achieved 938 points.

The Reign at Number One

Kohli's grip on the number one spot was vice-like, maintaining it for nearly 13 whole months. This period represented the absolute peak of his Test powers, where his technical mastery and mental fortitude combined to devastating effect against world-class bowling attacks.

The Challenging Decline and Retirement

However, the journey was not without its challenges. In the first rankings udate of 2025, Kohli hit a new low, falling to the 27th place - his first time outside the top 25 since December 2012. This dramatic fall highlighted the unforgiving nature of Test cricket and the challenges faced by ageing superstars.

The Final Chapter

On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a glorious career that spanned 14 years. 

His retirement came after a prolonged slump, with his average having dropped from its peak of 55.10 in 2019 to 32.56 over the last 24 months. Yet, with 30 Test centuries and his place as India's fourth-highest run-scorer in the format, Kohli's legacy remains secure among cricket's elite, forever etched in the all-time rankings as one of the greatest batters to grace the game.