On This Day in 2014: Virat Kohli Makes History in Debut Test as Captain

On 13 December 2014, Virat Kohli stepped into uncharted territory, becoming the Test captain of India under dramatic circumstances and creating a record that no other Indian cricketer has matched.

A Sudden Call to Leadership
During India’s 2014 tour of Australia, Mahendra Singh Dhoni abruptly relinquished the Test captaincy and announced his retirement from Test cricket in the middle of the series. The cricketing world was stunned. Overnight, the young Virat Kohli, who barely a year earlier had been fighting to cement his place in the side, was handed the ultimate responsibility—to lead India against a formidable Australian team in the Adelaide Test, starting 9 December and concluding 13 December.

Facing a Mountain of a Challenge
Captaining India has always been a high-pressure task, even for legends like Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli, however, embraced the challenge. India lost the toss and Australia posted a massive 577/7, powered by centuries from Steve Smith (162), David Warner (145), and captain Michael Clarke (128). The stage was set for a tough response.

Kohli Shines with the Bat
In India’s first innings, Kohli scored 115 runs, anchoring the team’s total of 444, while Nathan Lyon claimed 5 wickets for Australia. The second innings saw Australia set a daunting target of 364 runs in a single day after declaring at 290/5. On 13 December, India began their chase, losing early wickets at 16 and 57, but Kohli, alongside Murali Vijay, stitched a 185-run partnership for the third wicket. Vijay fell just short of a century at 99, but Kohli continued, scoring 141 before being dismissed. India finished at 315, falling short by 48 runs, yet Kohli’s performance won universal applause.

A Historic Record
Despite the loss, Kohli achieved something extraordinary—he became only the second captain in the world to score centuries in both innings of his debut Test as captain, a record previously held solely by Australia’s Greg Chappell. To date, he remains the only Indian captain to achieve this feat.

Virat Kohli’s debut as Test captain was more than just a match; it was a statement of intent. Overnight, he demonstrated the temperament, skill, and determination that would define his captaincy and cement his place among India’s cricketing greats.