On Monday, Virat Kohli bid farewell to Test cricket. His decision marked the end of a golden era in this format, where Kohli's bat resonated across the globe, defining a unique legacy. With 30 centuries and 7 double centuries, he dominated opposing teams. Yet, did you know that Kohli never played a Test match against Pakistan?
Interestingly, Kohli has never toured Pakistan in any format of the game. Despite this, he's played many iconic and record-breaking innings against Pakistan. His followers in Pakistan remain substantial, with his highest ODI score against them, yet he never set foot there for a tour.
Since 2012, bilateral series between India and Pakistan have ceased, only facing off in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
Source: aajtak
In 2008, India Visit to Pakistan
The Indian team last visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008, which Kohli wasn't part of. On March 3, 2009, a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team's bus in Lahore led to a global boycott of tours to Pakistan, including India. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan occurred in 2012 when Pakistan visited India.
Kohli Never Toured Pakistan
Kohli debuted in ODI cricket in 2008 against Sri Lanka, in Tests in 2011, and in T20s in 2010, all coinciding with the downturn in bilateral series. Yet, Kohli's bat frequently roared against Pakistan in Asia Cup and ICC events, including historic performances in the 2012 T20 World Cup, the 2015 ODI World Cup century, and the monumental 2022 T20 innings.
Who can forget his unforgettable 183-run ODI innings that single-handedly subdued Pakistan, though he never played on their soil?
Kohli's Test Career:
Over 123 Test matches, in 210 innings, Kohli amassed 9230 runs with a high of 254. His Test average stands at an impressive 46.85, with a strike rate exceeding 55. Kohli hammered 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, including 7 double hundreds.
Virat Kohli's Test debut was in June 2011 against the West Indies in Kingston, managing 4 and 15 runs in his innings, whereas his final Test was against Australia in Sydney, January 2025, where he scored 17 and 6 runs in respective innings.
Virat Kohli's International Cricket Career:
123 Tests, 210 innings, 9230 runs, 46.85 average, 30 centuries, 31 half-centuries. 302 ODIs, 290 innings, 14181 runs, 57.88 average, 51 centuries, 74 half-centuries. 125 T20s, 117 innings, 4188 runs, 48.69 average, 1 century, 38 half-centuries.
