Top 5 centuries of Virat Kohli in Test Matches

There are few things in the cricketing world which seem to be difficult for Virat Kohli at the moment. People talk about his purple patch, but then this patch has been on for the past 4-5 years. He has just gone from strength to strength, first in One Day Internationals, and then when he made his spot in the Test Team.

Perhaps it is safe to say that the Indian test skipper has attained a mental state which very few athletes get into, and if he can just keep himself motivated there will be no records left in cricket when he eventually hangs his boots.

He is fit, determined and ready to take on any challenge that comes his way. Although, there are few doubts over his Test Career, well anything will pale when pitted against his ODI feats, but there is little doubt that the man himself will be motivated to stamp his authority over the format which matters the most.

The average of 44.02 is not bad, but considering the player and his ability it does not fit the bill. However, this average is on the ascendancy, and this tour to West Indies will be another test for him, both as a captain and as a batsman.

As he enters the 5th year of his Test Career, we take a look at 5 of his most inspired Test Centuries.

#5 119 vs South Africa (Wanderers 2013)

In many ways, this innings gave him the belief that he could be successful overseas too. Bracing up against Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, Virat Kohli found his groove early on and notched up a superlative century to drive home the advantage early on the first day.

He came into bat as India were struggling at 24/2 and then formed a crucial partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara for the fifth wicket. Also, this was the first Test Match after Sachin Tendulkar had retired and Kohli walking into bat at number 4 displayed why he could take the great man's legacy forward.

He saw the tricky and fiery spell of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel through and cashed in on Imran Tahir and JP Duminy. In an un-Kohli like demeanour, he was not all combative but looked in the zone and kept accumulating runs.

The 5th Test Century was then just inevitable, and it did come.

#4 103 vs Sri Lanka (Galle 2015)

In his first overseas tour as the full-time captain of the Indian team, Kohli displayed that extra responsibility only gets the best out of him.

Once again, he came into bat with India struggling at 28/2, and this time forged a partnership with opener Shikhar Dhawan. The duo put on a mammoth 253 stand for the third wicket. Kohli scored a controlled 103 but was soon dismissed after he got to this feat.

However, a second innings collapse saw India lose the match on the fifth and final day as they were bundled out for 112 chasing 176. This collapse did take some shine off the performance but did not make the century any less special.

#3 105 vs New Zealand (Wellington 2014)

This match will always be remembered for the historic triple century by Brendon McCullum, and how he stole the thunder from India who were well poised to register a test victory.

However, in the second innings, when India were chasing an improbable target of 435 runs in almost 67 overs, the game was far from over. India were in a precarious position too when they were reduced to 54/3 in the 23rd over. There were enough overs for an Indian collapse, but Kohli held the fort and found an ally in Rohit Sharma.

Kohli was not defending or playing with caution but brought out his shots and scored a classy 105 runs in 135 balls. The match ended in a draw, and Kohli stood tall between a Kiwi win and an Indian draw, which in the end was a fair reflection of the result.

#2 169 vs Australia (Melbourne 2014)

This innings was like the homecoming of Virat Kohli, the test batsman. The fact that he relishes the challenge against the Australians is no secret, and this was on display in full aplomb during this innings.

Australia had stacked up 530 runs in their first innings. In reply, India were 147/3 when Kohli was joined by Ajinkya Rahane in the centre. What followed was pure magic, the duo unleashed a counterattack on the Aussies and were scoring runs almost for fun.

The battle between Virat Kohli and Mitchell Johnson will be remembered for ages, as Johnson kept hurling in missiles and Kohli kept dispatching them to the boundary. He blew kisses, flaunted his biceps and scored a memorable 169 in the process.

Rahane too scored a classy 147 at the other end. The partnership was worth 262.

The match ended in a draw late in the final day, and little did anyone know that it was the final time MS Dhoni would play for India in tests again.

A memorable match by all counts!

#1 141 against Australia (Adelaide 2014)

If ever there was an instance of an inspired performance followed by a heartbreak, this innings of Virat Kohli was.

On his captaincy debut, Kohli scripted history as he notched up centuries in each innings of the test match. However, the 141 he scored in the second innings will always be remembered by all in the cricketing circles.

India were chasing down a target of 364 runs on the final day and received initial jitters when Dhawan and Pujara fell. At 57/2 skipper Kohli strode in and took the game by the collar and displayed amazing control and stroke play.

Along with Murali Vijay, he put together a partnership of 185, and remarkably India looked to be on course to chase down the target. However, unlike any fairy tale, Vijay was dismissed on 99, and the rest of the batting fell after his departure.

Kohli, however, was stoic and looked set the take the team home all by himself but when he fell for 141. trying to pull a Nathan Lyon ball over deep mid-wicket and being caught in the process, all hopes were dashed.

Nathan Lyon scripted a win for the home team by 48 runs in the end.

However, this is the best innings that he has played so far in his Test career, and few would disagree.