Virat Kohli’s Test career bridges generations, leaving a complex legacy in Australia.

When Virat Kohli set foot in Australia last summer, he was a shadow of his former self, struggling to deliver a final, series-defining performance against his arch-rivals.

Many Australian cricket fans might have found solace in this decline, yet witnessing one of the greatest players of his generation at the peak of his powers is a sight to cherish. There’s an undeniable magic about a perfectly executed cover drive that draws comparisons to the likes of Damien Martyn.

However, Kohli was nearing the end of his illustrious career, and his frustration was palpable, particularly during his altercation with Sam Konstas.

Despite this, fans were still treated to a brilliant century from Kohli during his final tour to Australia.

However, we will see no more of him in Test whites for India, following his retirement announcement.

This is now a time to reflect on the legacy of one of Indian cricket’s most extraordinary talents.

Across his outings in Australia, Kohli averaged 46.72, scoring seven centuries along the way.

Wide World of Sports takes a look back at each of those memorable innings.

2012: 116 (Adelaide Oval)

Kohli’s first appearance in Australia arrived on Boxing Day 2011, where he had a disappointing start with scores of 11 and a duck. Although he struggled at the SCG, he showed signs of improvement with scores of 44 and 75 at the WACA.

Then came his emergence in Adelaide.

With Australia leading the series 3-0, Kohli had just witnessed Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke blitzing their way to double centuries and a startling score of 7-604 declared.

When he came to the crease at 4-87, his teammates were faltering. By the time he departed, he left to rapturous applause from the Adelaide crowd.

Kohli amassed 116 runs off 213 balls, and it could have been even more had he not been given out lbw to Ben Hilfenhaus, with replays suggesting the ball would have sailed past the stumps.

While disappointed, Kohli demonstrated how it’s done against the likes of Siddle, Harris, Lyon, and Hilfenhaus.

He endured some nerves both before and after reaching 99, nearly being run out and edging a few deliveries. Eventually, he pushed a delivery through to the covers to reach his inaugural Test match century. In his joy, he almost missed out on a second run.

“Magnificent, especially for someone striving to make an impact in this Indian side,” remarked the late Tony Greig on Nine.

After the struggles of cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, and VVS Laxman, the new era of Indian cricket had firmly arrived.

2014: 115 (Adelaide Oval)

Just prior to this series, former Black Caps great Martin Crowe wrote for ESPNcricinfo.

“Kohli is the anointed one. He embodies the intensity of Dravid, the audacity of Sehwag, and the diverse skill set of Tendulkar,” he commented.

Two years on from his initial tour of Australia, Kohli was well-prepared for what would prove to be a pinnacle in his career.

Once again, he watched as Australia mounted a formidable score in their first innings at Adelaide during the series’ opener.

With performances from David Warner, Clarke, and Steve Smith all resulting in centuries, the Indian batting lineup was markedly different from their previous outing.

New players Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, and Cheteshwar Pujara occupied the top positions, while Kohli arrived at the crease when the score read 2-111. The Australian bowling attack included Mitchell Johnson in place of Hilfenhaus, with Mitch Marsh and Shane Watson also in the mix.

Kohli’s 115 was a display of audacious flair. Pushing confidently through point, the covers, mid-wicket, and mid-on, he crafted his century with a four, threading through mid-wicket off Marsh.

Unfortunately, he was ultimately undone by a short ball from Johnson, leading to a stunning catch from Harris.

“An absolute beauty,” the late Shane Warne aptly described the catch.

India’s innings wrapped up at 444, but Kohli still had more to contribute.

2014: 141 (Adelaide Oval)

In the identical match, India’s target was set at 364 on the final day, but a rocky start left them at 2-57.

Kohli and Vijay stepped up to save the day, both striving for centuries with both at 99.

Kohli charged a shot to mid-off and took on the fielder to notch up his century, claiming two consecutive tons on his captaincy debut.

However, soon after achieving his century, he witnessed Nathan Lyon dismiss Vijay for lbw on 99.

As the saying goes, with one comes two?

In this case, one brought seven.

Kohli remained at the crease as three of his fellow players departed before he too fell at 141, hitting a long-hop from Lyon into Marsh’s hands deep in the field.

The tail offered scant resistance, and India was bowled out for 315, handing Australia a victory by 48 runs while Lyon claimed seven scalps.

2014: 169 (MCG)

A lean Test followed in Brisbane, but Kohli returned to form thereafter.

Steve Smith scored a gargantuan 192 in the first innings as Australia posted 530.

Kohli, coming in at 2-108 after Pujara’s departure due to Brad Haddin’s stunning one-handed catch, was determined to match the Australian captain’s score.

He demonstrated his full array of shots, from early cover drives to his signature pull shot and late cuts. The wagon wheel operator had little rest when Kohli was in full flight.

On 88, he was dropped by Shane Watson at first slip off Mitchell Johnson’s bowling. Naturally, he was furious about the error.

Ajinkya Rahane reached his own century before Kohli did, but Kohli soon raised his bat and helmet after hitting a cover drive off Lyon for his century.

Rahane later fell for 147, triggering a collapse as KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, and Ravi Ashwin followed suit shortly after, leaving Kohli at 149 as he departed to another one-handed grab from Haddin.

“What a stunning catch,” remarked Mark Taylor on Nine.

India’s innings ended at 465, with the match ultimately finishing in a draw.

2015: 147 (SCG)

A familiar pattern was emerging, as once again Kohli watched Smith pile on the runs in the first innings. Warner also notched up 101 while Australia declared at 7-572.

Kohli entered at 2-97 and on his very first ball, he was dropped by Haddin off Lyon’s bowling. That same delivery led to a slip and a near run-out scenario.

In what reflected the chaos of the match, that run-out could have easily been the doing of short fine leg, where the throw should have ideally gone to the bowler instead of the keeper. Haddin’s delivery was tardy.

“Total mayhem,” Mark Nicholas commented during the broadcast.

Clutching his shoulder, Kohli continued undeterred. On 59, he was let off the hook once more as Steve Smith dropped him off Mitchell Starc.

While Rahul moved to a century at the other end, Kohli forged ahead, narrowly escaping a close lbw call on 98. Moments later, he rocketed the ball down the wicket off Hazlewood for his milestone.

On 147, a sharp catch from Chris Rogers off Harris’s bowling sent him packing.

Once again, the match ended in a draw, leaving Australia victorious in the series 2-0.

2018: 123 (WACA)

In this series, Kohli was the focal point. He stepped into leadership, aiming for the historic victory by becoming the first Asian team to win a series in Australia.

Though his performance faltered in Adelaide, India still managed to win.

Yet in Perth, everything changed on both fronts.

No scores from Smith or Warner, with both players facing bans due to the ball-tampering scandal. Australia posted 326 in their first innings.

In a precarious position at 2-8, captain Kohli strode to the pitch. His second ball thudded through mid-on for a boundary.

Interestingly, the Australian bowling attack of 2018 mirrored the line-up they possess now. Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, and Lyon made up the bowling quartet, albeit in their early years.

They struggled to respond to his onslaught.

His classic punch down the ground against Starc heralded his century, which was celebrated in true Kohli style.

A point to the bat followed by the signature talking hand gesture.

Sadly, a sensational catch by Peter Handscomb dismissed him, yet India remained competitive in the match.

Unfortunately for Kohli, his teammates could not keep pace. Australia ultimately claimed victory by 146 runs.

During this Test, Kohli showcased his renowned aggression, colliding with Paine while the Aussie skipper batted.

There would be no additional centuries in this series for Kohli, yet he did score an impressive 82 at the MCG.

Ultimately, it was his leadership that resonated.

India concluded the series triumphantly at 2-1, making history with Pujara’s incredible 193 off 373 balls in the final Test, complemented by Rishabh Pant’s impressive 159 from 189 deliveries at the other end.

2024: 100 not out (Perth)

As Kohli entered this series, it was evident the end of his career was imminent.

His form during 2020, 2021, and 2022 had been troubling, with no centuries to show. However, 2023 marked a resurgence with two tons and an average of 55.91.

Yet, leading up to this series, he experienced 13 innings with only a single half-century to his name.

Yet, one should never underestimate a champion. Kohli relished the chance to challenge Australia once more, and he certainly delivered.

In the first innings, he managed just 5 runs as India was bowled out for 150, with Australia responding with 104.

Walking in to join young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had already reached his century, Kohli showcased his renowned on-drive with a boundary off Cummins.

Throughout his innings, his stroke play, timing, and finesse were back in perfect synchronization. Earlier, he’d been punishing Labuschagne’s medium deliveries to the boundary with ease.

Upon reaching 96, Labuschagne shifted to leg-spin, yet Kohli swept him to the boundary for four, securing his seventh century on Australian soil.

In the end, this would be his final century in Test cricket.

Legacy of the King

How Virat is remembered in Australia will likely reflect the recent sentiment of the public.

The concluding series didn’t encapsulate his immense talent. His unsporting confrontation with Konstas was puzzling and detracted from the achievements of one of India’s all-time greats.

Mark Taylor shared thoughts on Nine’s Wide World of Sports: “What struck me last summer was the aggression, which I’ve always appreciated about Virat, showed a darker shift towards anger.” Taylor continued, “Observing his run-in with the young Sam Konstas raised concerns. When aggression crosses into anger, it might be time for a rethink, and it seems the timing is appropriate for Virat. It’s a pivotal moment for Indian cricket, especially losing both Rohit Sharma and Virat in quick succession.”

On his final Test day, he made broad gestures toward the Australian crowd akin to those made into the sandpaper scandal, which was nothing close to a punishable offence, and many Aussie fans are known for being equally expressive.

Notably, during his inaugural series, Kohli had sparked controversy by giving the crowd a one-finger salute.

What should be remembered most about him, however, are those remarkable innings, coupled with his competitive spirit, aggression, and unparalleled talent that marked his illustrious career.

As one reflects on his impressive list of innings, it becomes apparent that he transcended through numerous generations of players.

Tendulkar, Dravid, and Laxman were in place when he broke onto the scene. He then succeeded MS Dhoni as captain and exits as Jaiswal and Shubman Gill start to rise.

He had the ability to disrupt bowlers, forcing Marnus to pivot from medium pace to leg-spin within a single innings, and can be remembered for being guided by Dravid and later Gambhir in coaching. He witnessed Australia in turmoil following Smith and Warner’s suspensions, and played long enough to score his final ton in Perth after the establishment of a new venue.

Now, it feels like the right time for Kohli to step away, and thus concludes the King’s reign in Test cricket.