Pakistan may never have faced the great Virat Kohli in a Test match, but that hasn’t stopped former cricketing legends Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja and Rashid Latif from praising the Indian maestro’s remarkable contributions to the longest format of the game.
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, bringing an end to a stellar 14-year career that spanned 123 matches. He captained India in 68 of them, winning 40 — the most by any Indian skipper in the format.
Kohli amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram hailed Kohli as one of the modern greats.
I’ve been commentating for the past 21 years, and in this time I haven’t seen a player who has impacted the game of red-ball cricket like Virat Kohli.
“Kohli reminded younger players of the value of Test cricket, always emphasising that it is the ultimate format. He was a horse for the long race — his fitness, enthusiasm and will to win were simply outstanding.
“He’s the best chaser in white-ball cricket, and once he leaves the ODI format, he’ll depart as a modern-day great. He has etched his name in the history books with golden letters.”
Another former Pakistan captain, Ramiz Raja, lamented that Kohli never got the chance to play a Test against Pakistan. The two nations last met in a Test in 2007 — a year before Kohli’s international debut and four years before his Test debut.
It’s a pity that he never played against Pakistan, because he would have revved up the emotions like nobody’s business! The guy leaves with an unparalleled legacy.
Rashid Latif, also a former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper, called Kohli “the best.”
“Kohli was inspirational,” said Latif. “He will be remembered as a great player, although his record in white-ball cricket is superior. That he never played a Test against Pakistan leaves a significant vacuum — not only in his Test career, but in the legacy of this format itself.”
