Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who once shared heated on-field moments with Virat Kohli, has hailed the Indian stalwart as a “once-in-a-generation player” who redefined Test cricket. Now assistant coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), Haddin reflected on Kohli’s passion and legacy for the longest format of the game.
“It was just his willingness to compete,” Haddin told TOI. “Kohli changed the way the game was played with how he presented himself physically. The thing that drew Australians to Kohli was his sheer passion for the big moments.” He added that Kohli thrived against teams like Australia, South Africa, and England, especially when they were at their peak, and that his absence would be deeply felt in the format where he left his strongest mark.
Kohli: A Test career with insane peak!
Kohli, who debuted in 2011 against West Indies, retired as India’s fourth-highest run-getter in Tests with 9230 runs from 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His captaincy, which began in dramatic fashion during the 2014 Adelaide Test, set the tone for a new era of aggressive, fitness-driven Indian cricket. Despite confrontations with the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Haddin, he scored twin centuries (115 & 141) in that match.
From 2014 to 2019, Kohli was in peak form, amassing 5347 runs at an unbelievable average of 63.65. His intensity, fitness regime, and commitment to Test cricket stood out even in an age dominated by T20 leagues. Kohli captained India in 68 Tests, winning 40 — the most by any Indian captain, and making himself the greatest Indian Test captain.
At 36, Kohli surprisingly decided to step away, having informed the BCCI despite efforts to persuade him otherwise. His absence leaves a void not just in India’s batting order, but in the global Test arena. Though his returns dipped post-2020, memorable knocks — like the century in Perth in 2024 — reminded fans of his class. As Brad Haddin put it, “He’s going to be sorely missed in Test cricket.” Indeed, few have matched Kohli’s impact — a true titan of the five-day game.
The post “Virat Kohli changed the way Test cricket was played”, PBKS coach lauds RCB star after retirement appeared first on Inside Sport India.