Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The formidable India number four for India in Tests, Virat Kohli today marks his 12 years in red-ball cricket. Notably, Kohli made his Test debut playing away from home against the West Indies in the longest format on June 20, 2011. However, he could not impress his seniors and fans alike in his first outing as he fell cheaply while playing at Kingston in Jamaica. Kohli only managed to score four and 15 runs.
Thereafter, the 34-year-old has never looked back and only got better with time. Interestingly enough, during an interview, he had once revealed that initially, he was fond of eating out but after an insightful chat with the then India coach, Duncan Fletcher, he ensured to improve his fitness which could help him to play the game in true spirit. Speaking of his career progression, Kohli played a stunning knock of 116 runs against Australia in their own backyard in Adelaide in 2012 for a memorable first century of his Test career.
In the same vein, reflecting back on completing his 12 years in the International arena, Virat Kohli took to social media to share his special day with his fans. Kohli seemed quite grateful for the opportunity he received to represent India at the biggest level.
12 years in test cricket today. Forever grateful 💫🙇🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/oYiB1jyC1A
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 20, 2023
“12 years in test cricket today. Forever grateful,” Kohli wrote on his Twitter handle.
Now, regarding his journey and key moments in his career so far, Virat Kohli has shown impeccable consistency over the years to become India’s mainstay in Test cricket. During a brief span of his career, the batter went on to become the World’s best Test batter in 2018 and remained at the helm for a long time. Moreover, Kohli also performed remarkably well as a leader for Team India. During his captaincy, one of the most memorable happened when the Indian side beat Australia in their den in 2018-19.
Virat Kohli has played over 100 Tests along with a truckload of runs for India
Furthermore, as a champion batter, Virat Kohli has played 109 Test matches for India so far, in which he has amassed 8,479 runs with a stellar average of 48.72, with a career-best score of an unbeaten 254 against South Africa at home in 2019. in totality, the 34-year-old has smashed 28 centuries along with as many half-centuries for India.
When it comes to red-ball cricket, as an interesting co-incidence, Kohli led India for the first time in the longest format after MS Dhoni passed the baton to him in 2014.