A Tribute to Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma
The red-ball chapter of Indian cricket has just closed a glorious era. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announcing their retirement from Test cricket, fans around the world are bidding farewell to two stalwarts who defined the modern Test arena for India. This tribute celebrates their journey, achievements, and unforgettable moments that will echo in cricketing history for generations.
🌱 From Debutants to Icons: Their Early Steps
🧢 Virat Kohli
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Born: November 5, 1988, Delhi
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Test Debut: June 20, 2011 vs West Indies
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Kohli’s rise began as the captain of India’s victorious U-19 World Cup team in 2008. In Tests, he transformed from a passionate young cricketer to one of the most dominant captains and batters the game has seen.
🧢 Rohit Sharma
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Born: April 30, 1987, Nagpur
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Test Debut: November 6, 2013 vs West Indies
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Known initially for his ODI brilliance, Rohit’s late entry into Test cricket was worth the wait. He made an immediate impact with 177 on debut and later reinvented himself as a world-class Test opener.
📈 The Stats That Tell Their Story
🏏 Virat Kohli
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Matches: 123
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Runs: 9,230
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Average: 46.85
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Centuries/Half-centuries: 30/31
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Highest Score: 254*
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Captaincy: 40 wins in 68 Tests – the most by any Indian captain
🏏 Rohit Sharma
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Matches: 67
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Runs: 4,301
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Average: 40.57
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Centuries/Half-centuries: 12/18
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Highest Score: 212
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Captaincy: 12 wins in 24 matches
🏆 Milestones and Defining Achievements
🔥 Virat Kohli
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Seven Double Centuries – most by an Indian
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2018 England Tour – 593 runs in five Tests
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First Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia (2018-19)
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ICC Test Championship Finalist (2021)
🔥 Rohit Sharma
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Transformed into an elite Test opener from 2019
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Twin centuries as opener vs South Africa (2019)
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Overseas match-winner with key knocks in Australia & England
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Led India to WTC Final 2023 and home domination
🏅 Test Match Wins Defined by Virat Kohli & Rohit
Sharma
🇮🇳 Virat Kohli – The Architect of Test Turnarounds
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123 vs Australia, Perth 2018 – A masterclass in bouncy conditions against Starc and Cummins, setting up India’s competitiveness.
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97 & 103 vs England, Nottingham 2018 – Sparked India’s dominant 203-run win.
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153 vs South Africa, Centurion 2018 – A lone warrior’s innings under pressure.
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243 vs Sri Lanka, Delhi 2017 – Set up an innings victory with complete control.
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Captaincy in Adelaide 2018 – Tactically outclassed Australia to secure India’s first Test win in Adelaide in over 15 years.
Rohit Sharma – The Steady Hand at the Top
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127 vs England, The Oval 2021 – His first overseas Test ton, crucial in one of India’s greatest away wins.
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176 & 127 vs South Africa, Vizag 2019 – Debut as an opener, domination from ball one.
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161 vs England, Chennai 2021 – On a turning track, his aggressive approach dismantled England’s spinners.
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120 vs Australia, Nagpur 2023 – A captain’s knock that initiated a commanding series lead in the BGT.
🌟 Iconic Test Innings & Crucial Contributions
🧨 Virat Kohli
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141 vs Australia, Adelaide 2014 – Nearly led India to victory with twin centuries in his captaincy debut.
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149 vs England, Edgbaston 2018 – Defied the moving ball and critics alike.
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254 vs South Africa, Pune 2019* – His highest score, sheer domination.
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200 vs West Indies, North Sound 2016 – The first of many double centuries that followed.
🎯 Rohit Sharma
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177 vs West Indies, Kolkata 2013 – Announced himself with class.
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212 vs South Africa, Ranchi 2019 – His first double ton in whites, capping a stellar series.
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127 vs England, The Oval 2021 – Poised, gritty, game-defining.
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161 vs England, Chennai 2021 – A spin masterclass on a crumbling track.
🌍 What the Cricketing World Says
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🗣️ James Anderson: “Big shoes to fill… they defined an era of Indian Test cricket.”
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🗣️ Moeen Ali: “Massive loss… the game will miss their presence.”
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🗣️ Yograj Singh: “No one left to inspire the next generation in the dressing room.”
(Quotes sourced from TOI & LiveMint, May 2025)
🙏 A Heartfelt Farewell
Cricket is not just a sport—it’s a story of emotions, battles, and legends. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gave fans countless moments to cherish, celebrate, and be proud of. From aggressive leadership to elegant stroke play, they redefined how India played Test cricket.
Thank you, Virat, for your passion, fire, and pursuit of excellence.
Thank you, Rohit, for your calmness, timing, and majestic elegance at the crease.
Your contributions won matches, defined eras, and inspired millions.
🫡 Farewell, Legends. The whites will miss you. But your stories will remain timeless. 🏏
📌 Disclaimer
This blog is a personal tribute to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and is written purely for informational and fan engagement purposes. All statistics are accurate as of May 2025 and sourced from publicly available records. The quotes included are attributed to their respective sources, and no copyright infringement is intended. This content does not represent the views of any official cricket board or organization. Images used (if any) are either royalty-free, AI-generated, or belong to their respective copyright holders. If you believe any content violates your rights, please reach out for prompt action.