"The lone warrior!" - Twitterati hails Virat Kohli for valiant knock in losing cause

Virat Kohli was perhaps the only shining light in what was a disappointing second innings performance from Team India against England in Chennai on day five.

While batsmen at the other end fell like nine pins, the Indian skipper ensured he kept one end intact.

Virat Kohli scored 72 runs and each run was worth its weight in gold. Although Team India winning the Test was out of the equation after a flurry of wickets, the skipper didn't go into a shell and continued to be positive in his strokeplay.

Fans on Twitter applaud Virat Kohli for his batting on Day 5

In the end, it took variable bounce and slight seam movement from Ben Stokes to castle Virat Kohli. The 32-year-old was distraught as he walked back to the pavilion, but deep down he knew he couldn't have done much about the delivery.

Although Team India lost the first Test comprehensively, fans on Twitter appreciated Kohli's valiant effort.

While Kohli missed his century yet again, fans believed he would soon break his jinx. Here is what they had to say:

Virat Kohli has been dismissed under 46 only once in each of the last 8 innings that he played on 5th Day of the Test match. #King

— 󠄪 󠄪 (@ComeToGabbaMate) February 9, 2021

That is the best I have seen Virat Kohli bat in a Test. It took a grubber to get him.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) February 9, 2021

So the draught of century continues for #ViratKohli. But lack of support on the other end created a dead end for team India. But still a great knock by Indian skipper and his love for performing in 4th innings of a test match continues.#INDvENG #ViratKohli #1moretogo

— Shubham Garg (@shubh_garg16) February 9, 2021

Control % of Virat Kohli in both Adeliade 74 and Chepauk 72 knocks was 91 & 99 percent respectively; highest among all. Only if he had some luck & support in both times 💔.#INDvENG @imVkohli

— Jay. (@Itxjunu18) February 9, 2021

Virat Kohli clean bowled by curator!!! #INDvENG

— Nagaraj Venkatesan (@arrnagaraj) February 9, 2021

Well played champ @imVkohli ❤

— Anjali (@Anjali__18) February 9, 2021

Well played Captain Virat Kohli.Fifty on difficult 5th day pitch.As usual other batsman fails in difficult condition.#INDvENG #INDvsENG #ViratKohli @imVkohli

— Shubh_18 (@Shubhz_18) February 9, 2021

Well played @imVkohli #Captain❤️ pic.twitter.com/m42v2aOdO2

— Purna satish (@Purna24145478) February 9, 2021

Well Played Champ !!!! @imVkohli ❤️#Kohli #viratkohli #INDvENG #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/hYmBz2YXNf

— 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐎𝐇𝐋𝐈 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐒 (@KingKohliFansTN) February 9, 2021

Lone warrior @imVkohli 🔥🔥🤙🤙🤙#EngvsInd pic.twitter.com/C0DZe1goVd

— /\ /\/\ /\ |\| (@callme_21) February 9, 2021

Well played Champ , you gave your Best . Come back stronger , we all are with you ❤️.@imVkohli #ViratKohli #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/9uKQ5SONOS

— Sourav (@imSrv_18) February 9, 2021

Virat Kohli neither a flat track bully nor a tough track bully. He is just Earth track bully who scores runs wherever he goes.#INDvsENG

— Neeraj (@_masterofchase_) February 9, 2021

Hate Virat Kohli's luck.... He only got 12 runs as freebies, from those full tosses. Otherwise all the hard work, looked the only batsman in total control but got out to a ball he could've done nothing about :(#INDvENG

— Akshay (@Kohlify) February 9, 2021

Virat Kohli has scored five half - centuries in last 10 inning's in international cricket when he is having worst phase of his career, no wonder why he is the best batsman of all time.

— Finished Kohli Fan😔💔 (@Paramanand772k) February 9, 2021

With nine wickets in hand on day five, and having survived a similar situation against a more potent bowling attack in Sydney, Team India might have backed themselves to save the Chennai Test.

However, they suffered a major setback when batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed early through an absolute beauty from Jack Leach.

Shubman Gill scored an impressive half-century and seemed to get the Indian innings back on track alongside Virat Kohli. However, a brilliant display of reverse-swing from James Anderson saw both Gill and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane lose their off-stumps in the same over.

This opened the floodgates for the visitors as Team India began losing wickets at regular intervals. Ultimately, Virat Kohli's wicket proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

This is England's sixth consecutive away win in Tests and they are flying high on confidence. Team India, on the other hand, have their backs against the wall.

Requiring at least two wins from the next three Tests without facing a defeat, the hosts have a job on their hands to secure their place in the World Test Championship Final.