Kohli lent heart and spine to Tests Premium
The Hindu
Virat Kohli's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, leaving a void in Test cricket.
Great players offer hope and make us believe in sporting miracles. For a large part of his Test career, Virat Kohli was all this and much more. Having called time on his association with cricket’s longest format on Monday (May 12, 2025), the end of an era is obvious for Indian cricket.
A quartet of significant batters will no longer feature together in Tests. Last week, Rohit Sharma bowed out. The selectors have seemingly moved on from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, and now Kohli has quit too. The dual exit of Rohit and Kohli mirrors the twilight march of Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman in 2012.
Kohli the batter kept pursuing runs against all odds. Tougher the battle, the bigger his heart was. Having taken first strike in whites in 2011, the Delhi lad took a while to settle but he was here for the long haul.
The longevity is evident in his numbers: 123 Tests, 9230 runs, 30 tons and an average of 46.85. The last statistic was over 50, the gold-standard for great batters, but dipped as his form waned. However, his fitness and fielding remained top-notch all through.
During the last Australia tour, after a century in the first Test at Perth, he tapered off. Yet, in the nets, he did multiple stints, keen to iron out the chinks. Through his career, he had all the shots. The cover-drive was from heaven and the swivel-pulls were adrenaline-soaked.
It is never easy to step in at number four for India, a spot made special by Sachin Tendulkar, but Kohli carved his space. Much like Javed Miandad, who hustled his singles and twos and quickly moved to his 30s, Kohli was the eager-beaver. Get the eye in, stay busy, dominate and accumulate, was his template.
He was evangelical about his love for Tests and it was evident in the manner in which he batted and in the way he led India. The 40 triumphs in the 68 Tests he marshalled his unit, the most by an Indian skipper, reveals a captain always moving the game forward. He forged a strong bond with coach Ravi Shastri, and India soared.
The government plans to amend the FCRA, introducing new regulations for NGO asset management and accountability for key functionaries.
The draft policy for “Responsible Digital Use Among Students”, released on Monday by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, has recommended that parents set structured routines with clear screen-time rules and prioritise privacy, safety, and open conversation with children on digital well-being.
Police Observer Sushant Kumar Saxena conducts surprise inspection at Shencottai police station, reviewing warrants and security arrangements ahead of elections.
Andhra Pradesh government to launch key projects in April, focusing on industrial growth and infrastructure development, says Nara Lokesh.
Lok Sabha refers the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill to a JPC amid opposition concerns over CSR provisions dilution.
SHG members in Kanniyakumari use snakes and ladders to raise election awareness and boost voter turnout.
Government accelerates consultations for early implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act to ensure women’s representation in 2029 elections.
CM A. Revanth Reddy distributes ₹1 crore insurance cheques to families of deceased Electricity department employees, enhancing financial security for workers.
The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) registered 634 cases of drunk driving during a week-long special enforcement drive conducted across the city between March 16 and March 22.
GHMC intensifies action against property tax defaulters, seizing properties and offering a One Time Settlement scheme for payments.
CCB arrests three drug peddlers in Mangaluru, seizing ₹2.5 lakh worth of MDMA and other valuables.
TVK's 28 candidates in Puducherry include former BJP MLAs, a sitting Independent, and a retired police IG.
BRS submits notice on private member bill to Speaker