5 Test hundreds by Virat Kohli in a losing cause

In what turned out to be a thriller of a Test match, England edged out India by 31 runs in the first of the five-match series at Edgbaston. Chasing a target of 194 runs, India fell short despite a well-crafted half-century by captain Virat Kohli. Kohli, who had made a wonderful 149 in the first innings, was the sole warrior from India’s side.

While the skipper managed to score 200 runs in the Test match, the rest of the team could only manage 214. This century from Kohli has drawn comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar who also played the lone hand for India in plenty of defeats.

In fact, Sachin has the most centuries (11) for India in a losing cause. Virat is on the 4th position on the list with 6. Let us have a look at the top five centuries by Kohli which went in vain as India lost the Test match.

#1 153 against South Africa at Centurion in 2018

After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bat first and was restricted for a score of 335 runs, thanks to some excellent bowling by Ravi Ashwin. In reply, India got off to a disastrous start as both K.L Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara departed with just 28 runs on the board.

Captain Kohli then stepped up and almost single-handedly got India back into the game with a breathtaking innings. It was the 21st Test hundred for Kohli. With this century, Kohli became the second captain from subcontinent after Sachin Tendulkar to slam a Test hundred in South Africa.

The century brought India close to South Africa’s total of 335 runs. However, his hundred went in vain as India eventually lost the Test by 135 runs.

#2 116 against Australia at Adelaide in 2012

Batting first, Australia posted a mammoth score of 604 runs on the board, thanks to double centuries from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke. India had a poor start with the bat as it lost 4 wickets for just 87 runs. In came Virat Kohli.

The Delhi lad had a point to prove as he had not registered a single 3-digit score in Tests till then. Kohli combined for a 114-run stand with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha and played with a perfect mix of control and aggression and went on to score his maiden century.

His 116 was the lone highlight for India in the Test match as it lost the match by a massive margin of 298 runs.

#3 103 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2015

In the first innings, India restricted Sri Lanka to a total of 183, thanks largely to a 6-wicket haul by Ravi Ashwin. In response, India lost K.L Rahul and Rohit Sharma early in their innings but a magnificent 227 run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli put India in a strong position.

Kohli went on to complete his 11th hundred in Tests before departing at a score of 103. India had a lead of 192 runs and were favourites to win the match but an astonishing assault by Dinesh Chandimal who made 162 not out brought Sri Lanka back into the game. Chasing a target of 176 runs, India fell short by 63 runs.

#4 149 against England at Edgbaston in 2018

The most recent of the lot, this innings drew comparisons with his 153 run knock against South Africa earlier this year at Centurion. England was dismissed for 287 runs in the first innings with some excellent bowling from Mohammed Shami.

In reply, India got off to a steady start before the top order gave away. Desperate to make a mark in Tests in England, Kohli showed some great grit, character and patience to guide India to close to England’s total. Kohli added 92 runs for the last two wickets with Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.

His imperious innings of 149 runs earned him applause from all over the world. Chasing 194 runs in the fourth innings, it was again only Kohli who put up some fight with a well-grinded half-century. Unfortunately, he did not receive enough support and India lost the Test by 31 runs.

#5 141 against Australia at Adelaide in 2014

Rated by Virat as his best Test hundred till date, this knock from Kohli defied all expectations. Chasing an improbable target of 364 runs on the last day of the Test match, captain Virat Kohli and opener Murali Vijay led an audacious charge towards the target.

An unbelievable 185 run partnership between the two brought India closer to the target. Vijay fell in the nervous nineties but Kohli carried on like a man possessed. However, wickets kept tumbling from the other end and in an attempt to score the remaining runs quickly, Kohli perished playing a big shot.

It was a hundred of great character by King Kohli. Australia eventually won the match by 48 runs.