Published 22:33 IST, October 11th 2019
Virat Kohli surpasses Tendulkar's highest Test score against Proteas
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 254 against South Africa which was his 7th double ton. In the process, he went past Sachin Tendulkar's highest Test score of 248
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Virat Kohli has finally managed to rediscover his rhythm in Test cricket. Kohli did not have a very good outing in the West Indies where he could only score a single half-century in the two-match Test series and after he was dismissed for a duck in the second innings of the final Test, he was dethroned by Australia's Ashes hero Steve Smith as the top batsman in the game's longest format. Meanwhile, Kohli is looking to regain the top spot in Tests after having registered his seventh double century in red-ball cricket. In the process, he has also shattered a few records as well.
Kohli breaks Sachin's record
Virat Kohli brought up his seventh Test century against South Africa at Pune. He remained unbeaten on a 336-ball 254. However, after Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed for 91, he decided to declare India's innings at 601/5. He was hailed by fans for his unselfish spirit and thinking from the team's perspective.
Even though Kohli will have to wait another day to score his maiden triple century or to break Brian Lara's world record, the Indian skipper has managed to add another feather in his cap and that is surpassing 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar's highest Test score of 248. Tendulkar had scored an unbeaten 248 against Bangladesh at Dhaka back in December 2004. This is not the first occasion where Virat has edged past his idol. Kohli had surpassed the Little Master's second-best Test score of 241 after his splendid innings of 243 in the home series against Sri Lanka in December 2017.
Other records shattered by Kohli
Virat Kohli's latest knock takes his Test tally to 7054 runs, averaging 55.11 with seven double-hundreds to his name. Virat Kohli also broke Australian legend Don Bradman's record of scoring the most number of 150-run knocks as a captain as he registered the ninth 150-run score of his career as opposed to Bradman's eight.
Bowlers apply pressure on SA
After having batted for five sessions, India declared their innings for a mammoth 601/5. In reply, South Africa got off to the worst possible start as they were put on the back foot early on as openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar were sent back by Umesh Yadav while Temba Bavuma was dismissed by Mohammed Shami as the visitors were reduced to 36/3 at stumps.
16:44 IST, October 11th 2019