These two greats need no introduction, and the void they will leave for world cricket in test matches is not just due to their batting but their mindset and grit towards test cricket and how they have brought along a generation to still value test cricket as the ultimate format.

King Kohli

Kohli’s biggest contribution was in changing the mindset. He brought intensity, aggression, and a level of physical and mental fitness that set new benchmarks for the team. Under his leadership, fast bowling became a weapon, not a weakness. He nurtured a potent pace battery — including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma — which allowed India to compete and win overseas, especially in Australia and England. His insistence on winning abroad broke the old habit of only dominating at home.

On the field, Kohli’s hunger for runs across conditions was unmatched. He became the first Indian captain to score centuries in South Africa, England, Australia, and New Zealand — a rare feat in modern cricket. His confrontational but focused style brought a fresh identity to the Indian Test side.

Kohli’s hunger for centuries and ability to perform across conditions, made him one of India’s greatest-ever Test batters. During his peak (2016-2019) he was definitely the best of his generation averaging more than 65 , hitting more than 14 hundreds and 8 fifties during this period and a staggering 6 doubles over 18 months. The more interesting stat is his best years with the bat coincided with his captaincy. He contributed to nearly 16.5% of the teams runs during this period, second only to Joe Root.

Off the field, Kohli has been vocal about the importance of Test cricket. “For me, Test cricket is the absolute pinnacle… it tests you temperamentally, emotionally, and physically”

The Hitman

Rohit Sharma’s Test journey has been one of perseverance and reinvention. For years, he was considered a white-ball maestro who struggled to crack the Test format. But his transformation into a successful Test opener in 2019 changed not only his legacy but added depth and adaptability to India’s batting lineup.

As a batsman, Rohit brought elegance, timing, and patience to a role where resilience is key. His ability to neutralize spin in India and pace abroad gave India stability at the top, which had been missing since the Sehwag-Gambhir era. Rohit’s technique against short-pitched bowling and his judgment outside off-stump in swinging conditions matured with each series, culminating in his century at The Oval in 2021 — a defining knock that silenced doubts about his overseas credentials.

As a captain, Rohit is the calm to Kohli’s fire. He leads with clarity, control, and tactical awareness. Under his watch, India continued its dominance at home and remained competitive overseas. He’s also keen on managing player workloads, building bench strength, and trusting his bowlers in high-pressure scenarios — a crucial element in modern Test leadership. “Test cricket is the toughest format. And if you want success and want to excel in this tough format then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunity only to players who have that hunger“.

Encountering King Kohli

They say never meet your heroes, as you can be often be disappointed. In 2017 while I was on a work trip to Jamaica, the Indian team were also in the same hotel on their tour of the West Indies.

As I made my way to gym, there he was walking through the reception, unassuming as if he was a mere mortal. Walking up to him and chatting for a few mins, about his recent innings, the west Indies as a country and even Jerk Chicken, made him feel like just any one of us. What surprised me, was how down to earth and genuine he was, contrary to what he’s been accused of or perceived as.

Together, Kohli and Rohit symbolize the evolution of Indian Test cricket—fusing legacy with innovation, tradition with aggression. Whether through flamboyant cover drives or calculated captaincy, their impact on the red-ball game will be felt for generations to come.