India, May 13 -- Virat Kohli, the master of the ODI chase, built his game the way he wore down targets, with strokes big and small.

When he felt his fitness was lacking, he set himself new standards.

When he realised his technique was flawed, he broke it down, then rebuilt it, piece by piece, till it was stronger.

When an opponent came at him, he returned the favour.

And when someone targeted his teammates, he defended them.

Kohli, now 36, is many things to many people, but as he announced his decision to retire from Test cricket, he will be remembered as the man everyone wanted to emulate, on field and off.

He focused on fitness; everyone talked fitness. He sported a beard; the others threw away their razors. He was in-your-face; h...