4 times India responded brilliantly after going down in a Test series under Kohli

Indian Test team under Kohli seems to play their best when their backs are against the wall. Kohli is an aggressive and passionate captain and plays a vital role in motivating the team and springs up surprises for the opposition when India are perceived to be down and out.

Let us have look at five instances when India made a comeback under Kohli in a Test series.

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India vs Sri Lanka, Colombo 2015

After getting beaten in the first test, Kohli's men showed determination to win the next two

This was the first series for Virat Kohli as a full-time captain. Indians lost the first Test at Galle. They were required to chase down a target of 176 to win in their fourth innings, but they could only manage 112. The guile and spin of Lankan spinners brought the downfall of the Indian batsmen on a crumbling track. Herath accounted for seven dismissals in the second innings.

Going into Colombo, India needed to improve their game by several notches to tame the Lankan lions. Kohli won the toss and chose to bat first and buoyed by KL Rahul's magnificent 108, India finished on 393 in their first innings.

Indian spinners bowled in tandem with the pacers to restrict the Lankans to 303 in their first innings. Indian batsmen continued their superlative form in the second innings as India declared for 325/8, therefore, setting a target of 431 for the Lankans to chase in the fourth innings.

Indian spin twins (Ashwin and Mishra) were on fire on a pitch aiding spin bowling and Lankans were bowled out for 134. India won the game by 278 runs hence making a comeback in the Test series. They also went out to win the third Test and registering their first series win under Kohli.

India vs Australia, Bengaluru, May 2017

India bounced back to win the test at Bengaluru

In a rare failure in home conditions, Indian were bowled out for 105 and 107 in first and second innings respectively in the first Test at Pune. India's ignominy was its batsmen falling against the spin bowling of the Aussies. India lost the Test and questions were raised on the capability of Indian batsmen in playing spin probably for the first time ever.

Next Test was in Bengaluru where India looked for redemption against a confident Australian team. Indians had a miserable outing once again with the bat in the first innings when they were bowled out for 189. Indian bowlers brought them back in the match by restricting Aussies to 279 in their first innings.

After a better batting performance in the second innings, India put forth a target of 188 for Aussies to chase down in the last innings. It was a stiff target on a deteriorating pitch offering a lot of turn for the spinners. This proved to be enough for the Aussies as they were bowled for 112 not able to negotiate the spin of Ashwin and Jadeja. India registered a memorable victory and made a comeback in the series.

After settling for a draw in the third Test, India went out to win the fourth Test as well. This culminated in Indians registering another series win after losing the first game.

India vs South Africa, Wanderers, January 2018

India beat South Africa at Wanderers

After reaching the numero uno ranking in Test cricket, South Africa tour was considered to be the real test outside home for Kohli's men. Proteas dominated in the Test matches at Cape Town and Centurion and won them comfortably. Indian batsmen were once again found wanting in the seaming conditions against the Proteas pace attack.

The third and last Test match was played at Wanderers. Indian batsmen needed to show some character to end the tour on a positive note. Kohli won the toss and as if to send a message across to the opposition that they were up for the challenge, elected to bat first. It seemed to have backfired as India were bowled out for 187 but Indian pace bowlers brought back them in the game by dismissing the Proteas for 192.

Indian batsmen batted really well in tough conditions to score a fighting total of 247 in their second innings which in the end proved to be enough. Chasing 241 runs to win, South Africa were bowled out for 177. India registered a famous win in alien conditions.

India vs England, Trent Bridge, August 2018

India demolish England at Trent Bridge

After a great win in South Africa, Indians reached the English shores with a lot of promise. They started off well in the shorter format and looked well prepared for the challenge ahead in the tests.

In the first test at Edgbaston, Indian batsmen's age long problem with the swinging ball came to the fore again. None of the batsmen except for Kohli managed to put up a respectable total in either innings. Indians were required to chase down a target of 194 in the fourth innings but were bowled out for 162.

Next match at Lord's provided no solace for the Indians. Overcast conditions and heavy downpours at regular intervals provided a lot of juice to the pitch which aided the swing bowling of England. As a result of which India lost the test within two and a half days by an innings and 159 runs.

Going into the third Test, Indians were in a familiar position as in South Africa a few months earlier. England captain, Joe Root won the toss and invited India to bat. First time in the series India batted with purpose and put forth a respectable total of 329.

Having tormented the Indian batsmen in the last two Tests with their swing, it was time for England to taste their medicine. India found an unlikely hero in Pandya who swung the ball in overcast conditions and was instrumental in England being bowled out for 161 thus conceding a mammoth lead of 168.

Indians piled on the misery as they batted with purpose in the second innings and set up an improbable target of 521. England's trouble with the moving ball continued as they surrendered to the Indian pace attack yet again and end the fourth day on 311/9.

India under Kohli is on cusp of another moral boosting win which hopefully will motivate them going ahead to draw or even win the series.

There have been questions raised on Kohli's captaincy every now and then. One of the criticisms that has always followed him is that he has played 38 different teams in as many Tests as captain. Indian skipper has always believed in "horses for courses" which seems to have worked for him till now.

Moreover, Kohli has instilled the passion and will-power in the team which keeps them rejuvenated. How often have we seen the past team make a comeback in a series after being routed in the first couple of matches. This team under Kohli looks different from those in the past owing to their desire to win in adverse conditions.