In May 2025, Indian cricket bid farewell to one of its finest modern-day batters, as Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket. His red-ball journey, which began in 2011, lasted 14 incredible years, during which he redefined batting excellence and led India with unmatched passion. Across 123 Tests, Kohli not only scored thousands of runs but also captained India in 68 matches, leaving behind a legacy of aggressive yet inspiring leadership.
Known for his hunger for big runs, Kohli compiled seven double centuries in Test cricket—all while leading the team. Let’s revisit five of his most memorable and highest-scoring innings in the format:
5. 211 vs New Zealand, Indore (2016)
In October 2016, Kohli notched his second Test double century and his then-career-best score against New Zealand. Playing at Indore, he crafted a magnificent 211 off 366 deliveries, batting over nine hours against a quality Kiwi bowling attack comprising Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Mitchell Santner.
Kohli’s fluent innings included 20 boundaries and featured a 365-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane, who also scored a century. This dominant effort helped India register a massive 321-run win and complete a 3-0 clean sweep over the visitors.
4. 213 vs Sri Lanka, Nagpur (2017)
A year later, Kohli registered another memorable double century, this time against Sri Lanka in Nagpur. Batting at a brisk pace, he smashed 213 runs from just 267 balls, striking 17 fours and two sixes with authority.
His innings came in a match where fellow Indian batters Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rohit Sharma also posted centuries. With a towering first-innings lead, India triumphed by an innings and 239 runs, seizing a 1-0 lead in the series.
3. 235 vs England, Mumbai (2016)
In one of his most complete Test innings, Kohli tormented England with a classy 235 in the fourth Test of the 2016 home series at the Wankhede Stadium. Coming in after a solid start, he stitched crucial stands with Murali Vijay and Jayant Yadav to rescue India from a shaky position.
Batting for nearly eight hours, Kohli struck 25 boundaries and a six, guiding India to a mammoth 631 despite a middle-order collapse. The innings proved decisive as India went on to win the match by an innings and secure a dominant series lead.
2. 243 vs Sri Lanka, Delhi (2017)
Just a week after his Nagpur masterclass, Kohli brought his red-hot form to Delhi. In front of his home crowd at the Feroz Shah Kotla, he delivered a majestic 243 from 287 balls, peppered with 25 boundaries.
Sharing solid partnerships with Murali Vijay (155) and Rohit Sharma (65), Kohli led India to a commanding total of 536/7 declared. While the match ended in a high-scoring draw, the innings reinforced Kohli’s insatiable appetite for big runs and helped India wrap up the series 1-0.
1. 254 vs South Africa, Pune (2019)
Topping the list is Kohli’s unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019 at the MCA Stadium in Pune. This innings stands as his highest Test score and arguably one of the finest knocks by an Indian captain.
Facing a quality Proteas bowling unit, Kohli batted flawlessly for 336 balls, hitting 33 boundaries and two sixes. His double ton anchored India’s massive total of 601/5 declared. He chose to declare the innings rather than chase a triple century, showcasing his team-first mindset. India eventually won the match by an innings and 137 runs, clinching the series in dominant fashion.
A Test Titan Bows Out
Virat Kohli’s Test career wasn’t just about numbers—it was a masterclass in discipline, intensity, and passion. With seven double hundreds, over 8,500 Test runs, and countless memorable partnerships, Kohli redefined what it meant to be a modern-day Test cricketer in an era dominated by T20s.
As he steps away from the red-ball format, fans across the globe salute a true legend who brought flair and fire to Indian Test cricket—one memorable innings at a time.
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