A king’s legacy: The many achievements of the cricket superstar, Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, also known as ‘King Kohli’ or ‘Chiku,’ is one of the most famous cricketers in the world. He recently retired from Test cricket, so as a way to look back and celebrate his amazing journey, here are some of the best moments and records from his career.
Four-time ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year
To be hailed as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year, you must perform exceptionally well on the pitch, including performance, impact, and consistency during the year. After that, a vote starts.
It may seem like a difficult task, but to Virat Kohli, it seemed fairly easy as he became the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year four times. In 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2023, he was awarded for his outstanding performance and overall achievements.
Three awards in a single year
In 2018, Virat Kohli had an amazing year in cricket. He was named the ICC Test Player of the Year for his strong performances in Test matches and the ICC ODI Player of the Year award for doing well in One Day games. The other one is the ICC Cricketer of the Year award, which is given to the best overall player across all formats.
Kohli made history by winning all three big ICC awards in the same year. He became the first player ever to do this. It was a year that proved why many fans and experts call him one of the best players in the world.
India’s highest 8th-wicket partnership in Test history
Virat Kohli was part of India’s best-ever 8th-wicket partnership in a Test match with Jayant Yadav during a very tough game. He took the saying ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ and scored many runs with his teammates.
Because of this, they were able to get back into the match. This moment showed that with Kohli, they can handle pressure even when the situation is not the best for them. It’s one of the many times he has proved how valuable he is to Indian cricket.
Most player of the series awards across all formats
The cricket superstar also holds the record for the most ‘Player of the Series’ awards across all formats, with 21 titles to his name. This means that in many series—whether in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), or T20 matches—Virat Kohli was chosen as the best player.
Out of the 21 awards, 11 came from the ODI series, where Kohli is especially known for his chasing ability, sharp focus, and high scores under pressure. Next would be his T20 awards with seven titles and three more in Test cricket.
India’s most successful Test captain
As both a player and captain, he did well at his job. Virat Kohli led India in 68 Test matches between 2014 and 2022, winning 40 of them. This achievement makes him India's most successful Test captain, alongside other popular names like MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly.
In the global scene, he is also one of the top captains as he ranks fourth in terms of the most Test wins as captain. The others are Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41).
7th fastest to reach 7,000 Test runs
Currently, Virat Kohli is the 7th fastest cricket player to reach 7,000 Test runs around the world. If that is impressive, his previous record put him in 5th place before going down two ranks.
Virat Kohli reached 7,000 Test runs in just 138 innings, making him one of the fastest players to achieve this milestone. This gave him the right to sit with the other legends like Sir Donald Bradman, Everton Weekes, Adam Gilchrist, and Alastair Cook.
Reached 5000 Test runs
Virat Kohli also reached a major milestone in his Test career—crossing 5,000 runs. While many already knew him as a great limited-overs player, this achievement told everyone that he is just as good in the longer format.
Scoring that many runs takes a lot of skill and focus. Kohli stayed calm, worked hard, and kept improving. Reaching 5,000 runs was a sign that he wasn’t just a good player, and he is on his way to becoming a legend.
256 runs in a losing game
Despite knowing they don’t stand a chance anymore, Virat Kohli never gave up. In the 2014 match in Australia, his team was on the losing side, and to win, they needed a miracle. However, not all games have happy endings.
This didn’t stop Virat Kohli from showing everyone his greatness. Even though they are losing, he still secured an astounding 256-run inning, making it one of the highest individual scores in a losing game.
Discovering a cricket legend’s legacy
These are just some of the biggest milestones in the journey of Virat Kohli, the pride of Indian cricket. His dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport turned him into a name every cricket fan knows and respects.
From becoming the first man to take home three ICC awards in a year to lighting up an undying fire even in a losing battle, Virat Kohli proved to the world that he is a true cricket legend.
He wasn’t just a batter—he was a leader, a fighter, and an example for millions. Whether it was chasing impossible totals or staying calm in high-pressure games, Kohli brought energy and focus every single time. His mere presence made every match he played exciting to watch.
Now that Virat Kohli announced his retirement in Test cricket, his achievements will forever be remembered. By becoming one of the greatest cricket players, he inspired many, young and old alike.
