Virat Kohli - Australia's tormentor-in-chief in Tests for almost 14 years

If one had to describe what Virat Kohli was all about in Test cricket, his history against Australia in Australia would be the perfect way to show it.

Such was his dominance in Australia that Australian cricketers would probably breathe a sigh of relief with their nemesis finally ending his Test career.

Kohli ended his 123-Test career on Monday through an Instagram post, having amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 and securing his position as a modern great of the game.

As the world lauds the King and mourns the void he leaves, we take a look at how the former Indian skipper conquered the 'Land Down Under'.

2011-12: Announcing himself to the world of Test cricket

Kohli's first taste of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was the 2011-12 series in Australia. It was also the first time the Australians saw the famous aggressive side of Kohli.

During the second Test in Sydney, the young gun, annoyed by the crowd while fielding, showed his middle finger to a section of the crowd at the SCG. He went on to face action for it, too.

But it is the fourth Test that he was remembered for, smashing a magnificent 116 off 213 balls in the first innings. It was a sign of things to come for the rising star.

Though India were swept in the series, Kohli ended up with 300 runs in 9 innings, the third most in the series, at an average of 37.50.

2014-15: Stamping his authority and beginning a new era

Kohli arrived in Australia on the back of a horrible England series. Critics were loud from every corner of the world, wondering whether Kohli's downfall had begun now that the English had found a chink in his armour.

How wrong they were.

Kohli began the series with twin centuries in the first Test in Adelaide.

Then, after a tame second Test, he smashed another century and fifty in Melbourne to help draw the match for India.

But while his exploits at the time were incredible, it was the passing of the baton in this series that is remembered.

M S Dhoni announced his sudden retirement from the format and handed over the team to Virat, who took over as captain in Sydney.

Leading from the front, he scored a skilful century in the first innings, and his first Test as skipper ended in a draw.

Beyond the runs, Kohli's attitude towards the sledging from the Australian players, especially his fiery duel with Mitchell Johnson, is also fondly recalled by fans.

Kohli's 2014-15 BGT saw him start a new era, while scoring 692 in 8 innings, the second most behind Steve Smith, at an average of 86.50, with 4 centuries and a fifty.

2018-19: Scripting history

A formidable Indian team, led by the aggressive skipper Kohli, landed on the shores of the Land Down Under with one thing in mind: victory.

And the intent was seen from the very first Test.

Kohli's plans and the backing he gave his bowlers and batsmen allowed them to get India's first win in Australia since the 2007-08 series, and the first Indian team to lead in a BGT series in Australia since the 2003-04 series.

He then led from the front in the second Test, with an eye-catching century, but India fell short in Perth.

They then headed to Melbourne, where Indian bowlers ran riot and won the match.

With a series victory within touching distance, Kohli's India headed to Sydney, where they scripted more history, becoming the first team in 31 years to enforce a follow-on on Australia in Australia.

They were poised to win the match too, but rain played spoilsport and the match was drawn.

Still, Kohli's side became the first Indian team to win a Test series in Australia.

Kohli himself had an average series beyond his century.

2024-25: An unexpected final dance

Between the 2018-19 series and the 2024-25 series, India did play another series in Australia, the famous 2020-21 series, but Kohli was only around for the first Test, where India infamously were bowled out for 36.

After a host of changes in the team's hierarchy, Kohli returned to Australia in 2024 as the veteran campaigner in a young side.

While past his best, he was still a formidable presence on the field, but was unable to rack up any significant runs.

In Perth, the first Test of the series, India won comfortably, led by the brilliance of Kohli in the second innings, who showed a glimpse of his best to notch up his 30th Test century. It proved to be his last.

Kohli wore the Indian whites one final time against the team he loved to play against in Tests, in the land that etched his name in history as one of India's greatest captains.

When Kohli walked out of the field after Australia had won the final Test and the series in Sydney, nobody, perhaps not even Kohli himself, knew that it would he his last Test for India.

Kohli ended his Test career with 1,542 in 34 innings in Australia, including 7 centuries, 4 fifties and leading India to a series win.

Australia's tormentor-in-chief for almost 15 years leaves behind a benchmark of foreign soil domination for future generations to aim at.