Virat Kohli turns 31: India’s top 3 Test wins under Kohli's captaincy

Virat Kohli recently overtook MS Dhoni’s record of most Test wins as captain of the Indian cricket team. With 31 wins from 51 matches, Kohli holds several captaincy records and has led Team India to many memorable victories ever since he took over the reins from Dhoni in 2015. As fans celebrate the 31st birthday of the cricketer on Thursday, we take a look at some of India’s finest moments under Kohli’s captaincy.

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Most memorable Test wins under Virat Kohli’s captaincy

India tour of South Africa 2018, Third Test in Johannesburg

After losing the first two Tests, Team India had already conceded the ‘Freedom Trophy’ to South Africa. Virat Kohli’s team went to Johannesburg with a hope to avoid a 3-0 whitewash against the Proteas. The visitors batted first and conceded a paltry 7-run first-innings lead. Kohli top-scored the innings with a patient 54, and in doing so, became the leading run-scorer as India's captain in the longest format. Defending 241 in the fourth innings, India dismissed the hosts for just 177 to register a famous 63-run win on a pitch which proved to be extremely dangerous for batsmen.

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India tour of Australia 2018-19, Third Test in Melbourne

With the series tied at 1-1, both India and Australia arrived at the MCG for the ‘Boxing Day’ Test. Team India batted first and declared at 443-7 before bundling out the Aussies for just 151 to gain a huge 292-run lead. Setting up a 399-run target for the hosts, the Indian bowlers dismissed Australia in a unified effort to win the match by 137 runs. The win also proved out to be instrumental as India went on to register its first-ever Test series win in Australia.

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India tour of England 2018, Third Test in Nottingham

Going into the third Test at Trent Bridge, the visiting Indian team were already under pressure after being 0-2 down in the series. However, Virat Kohli led a spirited Indian fightback with scores of 97 and 103 in both innings. While defending 521, pacer Jasprit Bumrah also played his part with a five-wicket haul to dismiss the hosts for 317. Team India won the match by 203 runs and made it 1-2 in the five-match series.

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