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Virat Kohli's 3 Memorable Wins As India's Test Captain

Muskaan Bhatt∙ Updated: Dec 9 2024, 1:04 PM

Virat Kohli- (Source- @mufaddal_voira/@imkevin149)Virat Kohli- (Source- @mufaddal_voira/@imkevin149)

One of the most admired cricketers in world cricket, a brilliant captain and a top-gun player, there's no doubt that the meteoric rise of Virat Kohli needs to be studied. The 19-year-old boy, who debuted for his country over a decade ago, has since impressed with his back-to-back record-shattering and aggressive performances.

Whether it's leading the nation or showing up for his team in the most stressful conditions, King Kohli has always been there. Sure, there have been some lows that have been lower that previous ones, but the class and grit, Kohli has showcased all through the years make him an asset to the team and the nation.

Virat Kohli, captained the Indian Cricket Team in 68 Tests posses a strong win percentage of 58.82%, the highest for any Indian Test captain having won 40 and losing only 17 games from 68 Tests.

However, 'You only realise what you’ve lost when it’s gone' is a nostalgic feeling taking over fans all over Twitter as they remember India's greatest Test captain. On that note, let us take a look at three times when Virat Kohli led India to most memorable Test wins:

1. India vs South Africa- New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, 2018

Virat Kohli's captaincy was vital to India's remarkable Test win in South Africa. That was their third test victory in the country. He had taken the brave call to bat first on a challenging pitch, which proved decisive for his team. The team showed great patience and discipline, especially with the ball, where they restricted South Africa to just 53 runs for the last nine wickets. 

Kohli's leadership stood out because he could inspire his bowlers—especially Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami—to utilise the conditions correctly. All these bowlers were essential in breaking down South Africa's batting line-up. Kohli was calm and calculated throughout, especially during long periods of waiting for breakthroughs. The win highlighted Kohli's aggressive yet composed leadership.

2. India vs England- Lord's Cricket Ground in London, 2021

When talking about Kohli's Test leadership and that too a memorable one, one can certainly not forget the India versus England match back in 2021 at the iconic Lord's. Despite, the first match ending in a draw, India's fighting-response in the second Test showed Kohli's aggressive and assertive captaincy. 

India, batting first, put up a good 364 runs on the board with the help of KL Rahul's show-stopping knock of 129 runs. Kohli's leadership shone in the second innings, where India's bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj's eight-wicket haul, destroyed England for just 120 runs. This 151-run victory highlighted Kohli's strategic brilliance and his team's fiery spirit. 

3. India vs Australia- Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, 2018

India successfully retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy through a victory on the final day of the Melbourne Test, which was all the more spectacular because of the outstanding leadership on display by Virat Kohli. Kohli's excellent use of bowlers was key behind this win for India as both Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma did it for him. 

The resurgent Australian team was a complex cookie to crack under Kohli. However, Virat Kohli, showcased that he not just loves to play in Australia and the Australian conditions but also defeat the Aussies in their own backyard.