It is no less a sorrow for cricket fans that Virat or Rohit retire from Test matches together. Virat Kohli, the King of cricket greats, has taken retirement from test cricket. His captaincy ability, coupled with his tendency to score plenty of runs, characterized an age of Indian cricket.
During his glorious 14-year Test career that ended in May 2025, with 123 matches and Kohli played with many talented players in his Test matches journey. Although individual brilliance finds an outlet, camaraderie and on-field partnerships are also important. Here, we go into the 5 players who enjoyed the privilege of playing the most number of Test matches with the ever-dynamic Virat Kohli.
In this list topped by the experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin tops, who has played with Virat Kohli in 93 Test matches. His intelligent bowling and handy batting made him a priceless asset for any side in the Test format. Ashwin and Kohli were successful time and again as partners in the field, and for many of their joint successes, he was constantly providing Kohli important wickets while Kohli was usually leading the run onslaught. Such interactions on the ground demonstrated how much they valued each other, which is why they made such a formidable player-captain team.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who played the same test matches as Ashwin 93 with Virat Kohli. Well known in the genre of Test matches as ‘The Rock’, he served as a pillar of the Indian batting lineup with Virat Kohli. Both did relatively well, as Kohli’s aggression was countered by Pujara’s calm and measured bat. Together, they withstood quite a few ordeals on behalf of India, which helped them form critical bonds and set the basis for historic victories.
Ajinkya Rahane, a reliable middle-order batsman and composed figure, participated in 78 Test matches alongside Virat Kohli. Rahane, who acted as Kohli's vice-captain for a considerable time, was recognized for his graceful batting and his capacity to excel under pressure, particularly in foreign conditions. Their connection on the field was clear, as they formed numerous crucial partnerships, playing a key role in India's achievements in Test cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja, the dynamic all-rounder, has played 71 Test matches alongside Virat Kohli. His batting, sharp fielding, and left-arm spin precisely graded him as an indispensable member of the Indian Test team. Jadeja's batting and bowling capabilities greatly influenced the result of the match, and he and Kohli played a crucial role in providing crucial shifts of energy within the game.
Ishant Sharma's name features on the list too, as he has played 66 Test matches with Virat Kohli. His tall stature made him a fast bowler. He was one of the Indian pace bowlers for many years because of his ability to bowl long and tricky spells. Kohli often relied on Ishant’s experience as well as his knack for grabbing crucial wickets. Together, they saw the rise of India as a Test cricketing superpower with Ishant leading the bowling attack during Kohli’s aggressive captaincy.