The Australian cricket captain, Pat Cummins, faced a humbling reality check even after leading his team to victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He took a moment to acknowledge Virat Kohli, who might have played his last Test series against Australia.

For Kohli, it wasn’t a series to remember with the bat. After a strong start with an unbeaten century in the first match, he struggled to perform in the remaining games, managing just an average of 12.1 runs across seven innings. It was a rare low point for one of cricket’s greatest players.

But Kohli’s name still dominated headlines throughout the series. In Melbourne, he clashed with a local journalist for trying to film his young family at the airport. Then came the drama at the MCG, where he had a heated on-field incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. This altercation led to tensions that simmered between the teams for the rest of the series.

The final Test at the SCG brought more controversy. During Australia’s six-wicket win, Kohli appeared to reference the infamous “sandpapergate” scandal while fielding. He emptied his pockets and glanced into his pants shortly after Steve Smith was dismissed. This gesture caught the umpire’s attention and added fuel to an already fiery series.

Despite these antics, Kohli’s legacy in Australia is undeniable. He has scored seven centuries on Australian soil—more than any other Indian cricketer—and boasts an impressive batting average of 46.72 in the country, second only to his record in South Africa outside of India.

Looking ahead, Australia and India won’t meet again for a Test series until 2027. By then, Kohli will be 38 years old and likely retired. Reflecting on this, Cummins admitted he would miss the rivalry. “If this was his last series against us, it’s a shame,” he said. “It’s always been more than just about his runs—it’s about the energy and theatre he brings to the game. He’s been one of cricket’s top batters for over a decade. Getting his wicket always feels like a big step toward winning.”

As for Kohli’s future, he has not made any public statements about retiring. India’s coach, Gautam Gambhir, also stayed tight-lipped about what lies ahead for Kohli and former captain Rohit Sharma after their loss in Sydney.

“All I can say is they still have that hunger and passion for the game,” Gambhir shared. “They’re tough players who want to keep pushing Indian cricket forward. Whatever decisions they make will be in the best interest of the team.”

For now, Indian cricket fans will continue to watch as their stars navigate what could be the final chapters of their remarkable careers.