'Virat Kohli filled the shoes of Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni': Former India cricketers pay tributes after Test retirement

NEW DELHI: As the cricketing world comes to terms with Virat Kohli ’s sudden retirement from Test cricket , tributes continue to pour in for a player widely regarded as one of the finest to ever don the whites for India. Kohli, who announced his retirement via a social media post on Monday — "#269, signing off" — brought an end to a glorious 14-year red-ball career.

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The former India captain finishes with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries, and a formidable legacy as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins in 68 matches. But beyond the numbers, many believe Kohli’s impact goes far deeper — he filled two massive voids left by legends Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni .



Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa summed up Kohli’s dual legacy aptly on Star Sports: "He wore two crowns when he landed in Test cricket. India needed an incredible batter after Sachin Tendulkar and a great captain after MS Dhoni. Interestingly, Virat filled both those shoes. That is his legacy in Test cricket."

A great captain. A great batsman. 💯#RobinUthappa reflects on @imVkohli legacy in Test cricket - the voids he filled, the standards he set & the passion he brought to the longest format. 🙌🏻

Watch the special tribute: 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧 👉https://t.co/rp4Dvb3SkG pic.twitter.com/uUgXBMExb1

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 13, 2025

Former teammate Suresh Raina echoed similar sentiments, praising Kohli’s unmatched intensity and leadership.

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"The fitness, fighting spirit, and the brand he has become — I haven’t seen a player like him," Raina said. He recalled Kohli’s debut in the West Indies, facing the fiery pace of Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul, saying, "He didn’t care about the helmet being hit. He wanted to play strongly. That attitude is what changed the table for India. He’s one of the best."

🗣 "BOHOT BADA BRAND HAI VO" @ImRaina shares memories of #ViratKohli’s Test career and their time together in Indian colours 🙌

📺📲 Watch the special tribute: 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗩𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧 👉 https://t.co/rp4Dvb3SkG pic.twitter.com/cST8Lp6YDI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 13, 2025

Raina also highlighted Kohli’s transformational leadership in historic overseas victories, especially in Australia and South Africa — tours that defined India's modern Test dominance.

With Kohli now walking away from the longest format, Indian cricket loses a figure who didn’t just play — he carried the team with charisma, grit, and a ferocious will to win.