Published 12:22 IST, November 5th 2019
Virat Kohli turns 31: The Indian captain's top 6 Test match innings
Virat Kohli has set & broken plenty of records which are there to stay for years. He is loved by fans across the world and has become excellent in Test cricket.
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Team India captain Virat Kohli, who turned 31 on Thursday, has been the face of Indian cricket for many years now. He has led the team to the No.1 ranking in Test cricket. Apart from leading the side, he has also set and broken plenty of records which is likely to remain unbroken for a long period of time. Kohli is loved by fans across the world and widely considered as one of the best players in all three formats of the game.
Today we look at some of the memorable knocks played by the skipper in the Test format.
Virat Kohli: 116 vs Australia at Adelaide (2012)
This was a series in which India lost all their four Tests matches to Australia in their backyard. Where veteran batsmen such as Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar failed, a young Kohli took the challenge as something to relish.
In the 4th Test, Kohli made a huge statement as he walked in to bat at 87-4. He stitched an important 114-run partnership with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. The batting superstar was the last man to be dismissed after scoring 116 as he took India to a respectable total of 272.
Virat Kohli 115 & 141 against Australia at Adelaide (2014)
Leading the side for the first time in the Test format owing to an injury to MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli scored centuries in both the innings. In the first innings, he scored 115 runs ensuring that India made 444 in reply to Australia's 517. Chasing an imposing target of 364 to win, Kohli made 141 off 175 balls and in the company of M Vijay (99), raised the team's chances of winning the first Test. After Vijay's dismissal though, Kohli also departed as Nathan Lyon picked up seven wickets and helping Australia to win a thrilling match by 48 runs.
Virat Kohli 169 vs Australia at Melbourne (2014)
Kohli dominated the Australian bowling attack virtually singlehandedly in the 2014-15 Test series in Australia. Mitchell Johnson tried to rattle the batsman with short-pitched bowling but the India skipper kept pulling and hooking him away. Kohli and Rahane added 262 runs for the fourth wicket. The Test ended in a draw.
Virat Kohli 204 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad (2017)
India hosted Bangladesh in a Test match for the very first time and since it was a historic occasion, Kohli ensured that he made it a memorable one for him and the team. His 246-ball 204 ensured that India won the match by 208 runs.
Virat Kohli 153 against South Africa at Centurion (2018)
Undoubtedly this was one of the greatest innings played by the current Team India skipper in his Test career. After the failure of the top-order, Kohli put on another one-man show against the hosts' pace battery of Philander, Rabada, Ngidi and Morne Morkel.
However, his knock went in vain as India lost the match by 135 runs.
10:37 IST, November 5th 2019