Honestly, it’s hard to believe we’re talking about Virat Kohli’s Test career in the past tense. But here we are in 2026, and looking back at the Virat Kohli test hundred tally, it feels like a fever dream.
30 centuries.
That’s the final count in the longest format. For a guy who seemed destined to chase down Sachin’s 51, stopping at 30 might feel "low" to some stats-obsessed fans. But if you actually watched those innings, you know the numbers don't tell half the story. The grit, the swearing at the pitch, the excessive celebrations—that's the real stuff.
The Perth Masterclass: 30 and Out
The most talked-about moment in recent memory has to be his 30th ton. It happened in November 2024 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
India was under the pump. The first innings was a disaster—Kohli made 5. People were already sharpening their knives on social media, saying he was "cooked." Then the second innings happened.
He walked out with a different energy. It wasn't the frantic, "I need to prove myself" vibe. It was calm. Sunil Gavaskar actually pointed out that his stance was wider, his body more relaxed. He wasn't fighting the bounce; he was using it. When he hit that mid-wicket boundary off Josh Hazlewood, the stadium just went quiet for a second. It was pure magic.
He finished 100 not out, and India won by 295 runs.
Looking back, that was his swan song. He retired from Tests in May 2025. It’s kinda poetic that his final hundred came in Australia, the place where he first proved he belonged at this level back in 2012.
The Gap Years (2020-2022)
We have to talk about the drought. It was brutal.
Between the pink-ball Test in Kolkata (November 2019) and the Ahmedabad Test in March 2023, Kohli didn't score a single Test century. That’s over 1,000 days.
Imagine being the best in the world and suddenly forgetting how to reach the finish line. He was getting 40s and 70s, but the big one just wouldn't come. Fans were losing it. Critics were calling for his head. Even greats like Kapil Dev suggested he should be dropped.
But then came the 186 against Australia in Ahmedabad.
It wasn't his prettiest innings. It was a grind. He stayed at the crease for forever, just ticking over singles and refusing to get out. It was less about flair and more about mental warfare. When he finally reached the mark, he didn't do the usual "aggressive Virat" roar. He just kissed his locket and looked up. You could see the relief.
Breaking Down the 30 Hundreds
If you look at the spread, his dominance against specific teams is wild.
- Australia: 9 centuries. He absolutely loved the pace and the talk.
- England: 5 centuries. Remember 2018? He went there to erase the ghosts of 2014 and basically carried the batting lineup on his back.
- Sri Lanka: 5 centuries.
- South Africa: 3 centuries. That 153 at Centurion in 2018 is still, in my opinion, one of the top three innings by an Indian overseas.
- West Indies: 3 centuries.
- New Zealand: 3 centuries.
- Bangladesh: 2 centuries.
Surprisingly, he never got a double hundred against Australia. His highest was that 186. He has seven double tons in total, though—mostly against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The Captaincy Factor
There’s a huge difference in "Captain Kohli" vs "Regular Kohli."
He scored 20 of his 30 hundreds while leading the side. That’s insane. Most players find the captaincy burden heavy. For Virat, it was like high-octane fuel. He averaged 54.80 as captain compared to 37.40 when he wasn't. He thrived on the responsibility of being the "alpha" in the room.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think Kohli’s decline was just about technique or the "outside off-stump" trap.
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Honestly? It was probably more mental.
He admitted later that he was "snappy" and struggling with his mental health during the dry phase. The transition from being the undisputed king to losing the captaincy (the whole BCCI drama in 2022) clearly took a toll. You can't separate the man from the player. When he wasn't happy off the field, the hundreds dried up. When he found his peace—especially after the 2022 Asia Cup—the runs started flowing again.
Why 30 is Enough
People compare him to Tendulkar (51) or Kallis (45). But the era is different.
Kohli played in a time when Test pitches were becoming more result-oriented and "spicy." He also played a ridiculous amount of T20 and ODI cricket. The fact that he managed 30 Test tons while becoming the second-highest run-scorer in international history (recently passing Sangakkara) is a massive feat.
If you’re looking to truly appreciate a Virat Kohli test hundred, don’t just look at the scorecard. Go back and watch the 149 at Edgbaston in 2018. Or the 119 at Johannesburg in 2013. Those weren't just runs; they were statements of intent.
He didn't just play Test cricket; he saved it. He made it cool again for a generation that was drifting toward T20 leagues.
Next Steps for the Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the legacy of the "King," here is what you should do next:
- Watch the Highlights: Search for his 123 at Perth (2018) on the Cricket Australia YouTube channel. Even though India lost, many experts consider it his most "perfect" technical innings.
- Check the Stats: Look up the "Fab Four" (Kohli, Smith, Root, Williamson) final Test comparisons. You'll notice that while others might have more runs, Kohli's impact on winning matches away from home is nearly unmatched.
- Follow the Transition: Keep an eye on the current Indian top order (Jaiswal and Gill). Seeing how they handle the "Kohli-sized hole" in the lineup tells you everything you need to know about how much he really anchored this team.