Published By: Sayan Guha

How Virat Kohli’s Test Rankings Tell the Story of a Decade of Dominance—and a Dramatic Decline!

From breaking into the top 50 to slipping out of the top 25, Kohli’s rollercoaster Test career is a tale of brilliance, persistence, and inevitable decline

For more than a decade, ‘Virat King Kohli’ symbolised consistency in Test cricket. His rise up the ICC Test batting rankings reads like a dramatic script—consistently climbing the ladder, reaching the peak, and now plummeting down the slope. The current ICC rankings place Kohli 27th, his lowest since 2012, leaving fans and commentators wondering what went wrong.

But before we get into his current troubles, let's return to the beginning.

From humble beginnings to the top 50

Kohli's Test career began in June 2011, with a modest start against the West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica. His scores of 4 and 15 put him 149th in the ICC rankings, far from the grandeur that awaited him. However, by January 2012, Kohli had indicated his presence by blasting his first Test century in Adelaide against a powerful Australian team. This knock propelled him into the top 50, marking the start of several achievements.

Breaking barriers: The top 20 and beyond

Kohli's rapid climb continued in March 2013 when he broke into the top twenty. A gutsy 67 not out in Mohali against Australia helped India win, and the rankings rewarded his perseverance. By February 2014, Kohli had risen to the top ten, a feat few batters achieved. His undefeated century against New Zealand in Wellington demonstrated a batter who not only scored runs but thrived under duress.

Ruling the rankings: Kohli at no. 1

Fast forward to 2018, and Kohli was reaching heights few could imagine. After overcoming his England demons, he struck brilliant blows of 97 and 103 at Trent Bridge, dethroning Steve Smith as the top-ranked Test batter. It was a 13-month reign during which he set a career-high rating of 937 points, the highest rating ever for an Indian batter. Kohli was more than a run machine; he embodied modern Test batting.

The slide begins

Even emperors experienced storms, and Kohli's reign was no exception. By 2019, splits started to appear. Despite his decent 47.4 average that year, he was knocked off the top rank. Over the next two years, his ranks varied, but his position in the top ten stayed steady.

Then came 2022, a key year. A spate of poor scores versus England knocked him out of the top ten for the first time in six years. By 2024, Kohli had dropped out of the top 20, and murmurs of a fading legacy grew stronger.

A new chapter or the final curtain?

The most recent rankings update in January 2025 saw Kohli outside the top 25 for the first time in 12 years. His decline mirrored India's troubles in red-ball cricket, where even his rare bursts of brilliance failed to alter the trend.

But with Kohli, the narrative never ends. Could he make another comeback, as in 2023, when he temporarily returned to the top ten? Or has this legend's Test voyage found its conclusion?

The legacy of a GOAT

Virat Kohli's ranking history illustrates his persistence and skill. Kohli's career, from a rocky beginning to dominating the world rankings and now navigating a difficult time, mirrors the highs and lows of sport.

As India's cricket schedule stops for the summer Tests, all eyes will be on Kohli. Will the fire within be reignited? Is this the end of an era? Whatever the answer is certain, Kohli's path will live on in cricketing mythology, serving as a reminder of what it takes to climb, reign, and, on occasion, collapse.