The master and his legacy: The best innings of Virat Kohli across his Test career

Virat Kohli will go down as arguably one of the greatest Test players.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Earlier in the day, he announced his retirement from the longest format, bringing the curtains down to a glittering career, spanning 14 years, in which he featured in 123 Tests, scoring 9230 runs with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. From leading India to historic overseas triumphs to scoring match-defining centuries under pressure, Kohli defined an era that was left void by the retirements of the big five — Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. Here are some of Kohli's match-defining knocks in red-ball cricket.

119 & 96 vs South Africa — Johannesburg, 2013: Kohli announced his arrival in the big stage on his first tour to South Africa, where he overcame the bounce and tough conditions with scores of 119 and 96 at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, in 2013.

Against a quality pace attack, comprising the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel on a lively pitch, Kohli displayed his class and technique against the fiery pace and bounce from the Proteas quicks.

While his first-innings century laid the foundation for India's strong total, his composed 96 in the second essay nearly resulted in twin centuries in the match. India narrowly missed out on a famous win as South Africa held on for a draw, but Kohli surely established himself as India's next batting superstar in Tests.