How Virat Kohli fared in Australia - A tale of peaks and one final dip

Virat Kohli, one of India’s greatest Test batters, brought the curtain down on a glittering 14-year red-ball career. While his final series may have ended in disappointment, Kohli’s Test legacy — especially in Australia — remains one of the most impressive for an Indian player overseas.

Kohli retires with 9230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties. A rare Indian batter who flourished more abroad than at home, Kohli scored 4894 runs in 68 away Tests at 41.13, including 16 centuries. In comparison, his 4336 runs in 55 home Tests came at 55.58.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Among all away nations, Australia was Kohli’s favourite hunting ground. After India, where he scored 14 centuries, Kohli’s second-best tally came in Australia — 1542 runs in 18 matches at an average of 46.72, with seven hundreds and four fifties. No other overseas nation saw him breach the century mark more than twice.

Kohli also reserved some of his fiercest batting for the Australians. In 30 Tests against them, he tallied 2232 runs at 43.76, with nine centuries and five fifties — his most runs and hundreds against any opposition.

Virat Kohli's Australian journeyHis Australian story began in 2011-12, when a 23-year-old Kohli made his first tour Down Under. In a tough series for India, which ended 4-0 in Australia's favour, Kohli emerged as a bright spot, scoring 300 runs at 37.50, including his maiden Test hundred in Adelaide.The 2014-15 series, however, was Kohli’s masterpiece. Leading India (in two Tests) in the absence of MS Dhoni, he amassed 692 runs in four Tests at an astonishing 86.50 average, including four sublime centuries. Though India lost the series 2-0, Kohli’s dominance with the bat was undeniable.In 2018-19, Kohli led India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia. Though less prolific with the bat — 282 runs in four matches at 40.28 — his leadership was critical. In the next tour in 2020-21, Kohli featured in just the first Test, scoring 78 runs. He returned home for the birth of his child, and India scripted a historic comeback win under Ajinkya Rahane.Kohli’s fifth and final Test tour of Australia in 2024/25 ended on a sour note. Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India lost the

Border-Gavaskar Trophy

for the first time in a decade. Kohli struggled, scoring just 190 runs in nine innings at 23.75 — his worst Test outing in Australia.Despite the quiet finish, Kohli’s impact on Indian cricket in Australia remains monumental.Virat Kohli in Australia (Tests):