Virat Kohli's Greatest Test Innings: A Look at His Finest Performances

123 Tests. 9,230 runs. 30 centuries. 31 fifties.
That’s the remarkable Test legacy of Virat Kohli, India’s Cap No. 269, who announced his retirement from the longest format on Monday.

Widely regarded as one of the modern greats, Kohli’s brilliance extended far beyond white-ball cricket. In the red-ball arena, he carved his name among the game's elite with his passion, skill, and unwavering commitment.

Wherever he played, guts and glory followed. Whether it was dismantling world-class attacks or inspiring India to historic overseas victories, Kohli was at the heart of it all.

From gritty hundreds under pressure to redefining India’s approach to Test cricket, he didn’t just play the game — he led a revolution.

Here, we take a trip down memory lane to some of his blitzkrieg knocks in Test cricket for India.

119 & 96 vs South Africa – Johannesburg, 2013

On his maiden Test tour to South Africa in 2013, Virat Kohli made a resounding statement with scores of 119 and 96 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg — performances that would mark the beginning of his ascent as a modern-day great.

Facing a world-class South African pace attack featuring Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Morne Morkel on a lively pitch, Kohli displayed remarkable composure and technical precision. His century in the first innings was a masterclass in batting under pressure, setting a solid foundation for India’s total. In the second innings, he followed it up with a gritty 96, narrowly missing out on becoming one of the few Indian batters to score twin centuries in a Test overseas.

Kohli’s ability to adapt his technique and temperament to the seaming and bouncing conditions of South Africa drew widespread acclaim from former players and cricket pundits. His performance was a shining light in a hard-fought match that ended in a thrilling draw, with South Africa barely holding on in their chase of a record target.

While India narrowly missed a historic win, Kohli’s brilliance with the bat cemented his status as the future cornerstone of India's Test batting lineup. It was a defining moment — the beginning of an era.

115 & 141 vs Australia – Adelaide, 2014

Taking charge as India’s stand-in Test captain for the first time in Adelaide following MS Dhoni’s injury, Virat Kohli made an immediate impact with twin centuries — 115 in the first innings and a masterful 141 in the second.

In the first innings, Kohli showcased his trademark confidence and flair, taking on the Australian bowlers with authoritative strokeplay on a benign surface. But it was his second-innings knock that truly defined the match — and his leadership.

Set a daunting target of 364, Kohli chose to chase victory rather than settle for a draw. His aggressive intent and counterattacking brilliance kept India in contention, even as wickets fell around him. His 141 was a blend of defiance and ambition, turning a seemingly impossible chase into a real possibility.

Though India eventually fell short by 48 runs after his dismissal sparked a late collapse, Kohli’s bold approach and fearless leadership earned widespread praise. The match not only underscored his batting prowess but also signaled the dawn of a new, assertive era in Indian Test captaincy.

235 vs England – Mumbai, 2016

In the fourth Test of England’s 2016 tour of India at the Wankhede Stadium, Virat Kohli delivered a monumental innings of 235—then the highest score of his Test career. On a pitch that began to assist spin early, Kohli showcased his mastery against both seamers and spinners, anchoring India's innings with remarkable poise and authority. His knock formed the cornerstone of India’s mammoth total of 631, setting up an emphatic innings victory that sealed the series for the hosts.

Batting for nearly nine hours, Kohli faced 340 deliveries, striking 25 fours and a six. His innings was a testament to exceptional stamina, focus, and technical brilliance. This effort also marked his third double-century of the year—a record for an Indian captain at the time—highlighting a golden run of form in his career.

149 vs England – Edgbaston, 2018

Under intense scrutiny and carrying the weight of a dismal 2014 England tour, Virat Kohli stormed into Edgbaston in 2018 with a point to prove—and he delivered in emphatic fashion. In the opening Test of the series, Kohli produced a sublime 149, his first-ever century on English soil, rewriting the narrative around his overseas credentials.

India were reeling at 54/2 when Kohli strode to the crease, confronted once again by a world-class pace duo—James Anderson and Stuart Broad—in typically challenging English conditions. With the ball swinging and seams zipping unpredictably, it was a true test of character and technique.

Kohli responded with a batting masterclass. Combining steely patience with calculated aggression, he constructed an innings of remarkable poise and control. His 149 came off 225 deliveries and included 22 crisp boundaries and a towering six. As wickets crumbled around him, he expertly farmed the strike, forging crucial stands with the lower order to keep India afloat.

Though India eventually fell short by 31 runs in a gripping contest, Kohli’s knock was hailed as one of the finest Test centuries by an Indian overseas—an innings not just of runs, but of redemption. It silenced doubters and marked a turning point in his legacy as a modern great across all conditions.

153 vs South Africa – Centurion, 2018

At Centurion in 2018, Virat Kohli produced one of the grittiest innings of his career under testing overseas conditions.

On a challenging pitch offering variable bounce and pace, against a world-class South African attack featuring Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, and Vernon Philander, Kohli stood tall. Amid constant pressure and with wickets tumbling around him, he compiled a masterful 153 out of India’s total of 307.

What made the knock truly remarkable was Kohli’s unwavering focus and control — no other Indian batter managed to cross 50. His innings, laced with 15 boundaries, was a blend of fluent stroke play and unyielding resolve, showcasing both his technical mastery and mental toughness.

Though India ultimately lost the match, Kohli's performance was widely lauded as a beacon of determination and class in hostile conditions.

254 vs South Africa - Pune, 2019*

Virat Kohli’s career-best Test score of 254* came during the second Test of the 2019 series against South Africa at Pune, a performance that showcased his brilliance and composure.

Kohli walked in at 136/2, with the openers having laid a solid foundation, and from that point on, he took charge of the innings with unmatched control. His remarkable ability to pace the knock, staying at the crease for nearly eight hours, reflected his mastery of Test cricket.

The innings was a flawless exhibition of his technical prowess, as he found the boundaries at will, hitting 33 fours and 2 sixes, while maintaining a solid defense. Despite facing a strong South African bowling attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, and debutant Anrich Nortje, none of the bowlers could break through his resilience or finesse.

Kohli’s imperious knock of 254* was instrumental in India declaring at a commanding 601/5. His performance not only set up a dominant total but also played a crucial role in India’s eventual victory by an innings and 137 runs, cementing his place as one of the finest batsmen in the history of Test cricket.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official