5 crucial losses that proved to be turning points in Virat Kohli’s career

#1 Adelaide Test vs Australia, 2012

Young Kohli exuberant in celebration

The fourth Test of the 2011-12 Border Gavaskar trophy in Australia was pretty much like a do or die chance for the right-handed West Delhi boy. India had been blanked in the three preceding Tests and it was a collective batting failure. None of the Indian batsmen, the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman, had even gone on to register a three-figure score in the entire series.

Captain MS Dhoni persisted with Kohli in the lineup, even as pressure built up questioning his position in the team due to lack of performance.

After being in the field for 157 overs and seeing the Aussies pile up 604 runs, the Indian batting again slumped in response. Virat, though, had a point to prove. Bringing in the confidence of scoring 44 and 75 in the Perth Test, the then 23-year-old Virat weathered the storm en route his maiden Test century. What it meant to him was evident by his on-field celebrations.

India went on to lose the Test by a whopping 298 runs but the only positive that came, not just from this Test but the entire series, was that Virat Kohli had announced his arrival at the world stage.