Virat Kohli Birthday: Top 5 Kohli knocks in Tests at home

Virat Kohli is arguably one of the best batsmen of the modern era. Every time he walks out to bat, you can always sense intent, the willingness to dominate and always wants to take his team to a position of strength, Also, every time he strides out to the middle, it looks like the Indian cricket team’s captain is setting up the bar high.

His numbers in limited overs are simply phenomenal. With averages of 55.74 and 53.66 in ODIs and T20Is respectively, Kohli is the best when it comes to the shorter formats. However, in Tests, he averaged in the low-40s before the Australia tour in 2014/15. But in the last couple of years, Virat Kohli, the Test batsman has come to the fore. His Test record at home wasn’t great either. But he has evolved into one of the best. So, as the current Indian skipper turns 29 on Sunday (), let’s look at 5 of his best Test knocks at home.

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#5 107 vs Australia – Chennai (2013)

In the first Test of Australia’s tour to India (for a 4-match Test series), Australia posted 380 on a turning Chepauk track. India, in reply, were in a spot of bother at 105/3

As soon as Kohli came to the crease at the fall of the third wicket (Pujara), he changed the tempo of the innings. He played a very calm and composed innings and scored a beautiful 107. It was his 4th Test ton and 2nd against Australia.

He not only bailed India out of a tricky position but also put them in command as he provided the perfect platform for Dhoni and the lower order to contribute. When he was dismissed for 107, he took India from 105/3 to 324/5. He formed two crucial stands – one with Sachin for the 4th wicket and then with Dhoni for the 5th wicket.

Not many people remember this hundred from Kohli as the then Indian skipper MS Dhoni completely overshadowed him with a blistering 224. It’s not often a Kohli hundred goes unnoticed, but this one did and this 107 at Chennai set the tone for the hosts in that series.

#4 204 vs Bangladesh – Hyderabad (2017)

Kohli's 204 put India in total command in the Only Test against Bangladesh.

It was a historical Test match for Bangladesh – their first Test in India. India won the toss and batted first on what looked like a good pitch to bat. The start wasn’t the greatest as India lost KL Rahul in the first over, but Vijay and Pujara with a solid 178-run stand ensured India were ahead in the game right from the start.

In the 51st over (at the fall of Pujara’s wicket), the Indian captain walked out to bat. He made his intentions clear with the first ball he faced. A back-of-a-length delivery outside off was dispatched to the cover boundary. If that shot didn’t set up the innings – his next boundary certainly did, and it was a beautiful, elegant straight drive to a fractionally over-pitched delivery.

He displayed his wide array of shots. He first converted a solid start to a 16th Test ton and then to a 4th double ton, and broke numerous records in his 5-hour stay at the crease. He became the first batsman to score 4 double hundreds in 4 consecutive series (all these came in the span of 8 months). He also broke Sehwag’s record for most runs by an Indian in one season.

Kohli’s 204 laid the platform for a huge score as India ended with 687/6 and went onto to win the Test and Kohli deservingly won the Man of the Match.

#3 211 vs New Zealand – Indore (2016)

Kohli got back to form in style as he scored his 2nd double hundred.

After scoring his maiden double hundred against the West Indies, Kohli went through a lean patch where failed to cross the 50-run mark in 7 consecutive innings. Coming into the Indore Test (3rd Test of the series), India were already 2-0 up and Kohli had scored 72 runs in 4 innings with 45 coming in the second innings of the second Test.

That 45 might have been a confidence booster as he bailed India out of trouble from 43/4.

He walked into bat with India at 60/2. The intent was evident right from the start of his innings. He calmed some early jitters and then took complete control of the innings. He got back into form in style as Indore was treated to the Indian skipper’s 2nd double ton. He became the first Indian to score 2 double tons as captain.

A near flawless innings from Kohli where he registered his highest Test score ensured India posted a mammoth 557 in the first innings. Not only did he score fluently and elegantly, he took responsibility in the partnership with Rahane when the latter was really struggling against short balls. Thus, this was one of the best knocks by Kohli at home.

#2 167 and 81 vs England – Vishakhapatnam (2016)

The Indian captain was the only player to score a hundred in the second Test.

England had started their India tour on a very good note as they had stretched India in the first Test. Scoring big in the first innings and then consolidating, England had India in trouble on the final of the first Test – only for Kohli to play a fighting 49* to salvage a draw.

In the second Test after opting to bat first at Vizag, Kohli came into bat as early as the 5th over as India lost both their openers. At 22/2, India seemed to be under pressure after a bad start.

But Kohli continued his good form soothing the nerves in the Indian camp as he shared a massive 226-run partnership with Pujara to help India take early control of the game. In his last 5 innings, he had scored three 40s along with a double ton, but here he made sure he converted a good start into a big one.

His 167 put India on course for a big first innings score. The stand-out part of this innings was the way he soaked in some early pressure and then dominated most part of his innings. He wasn’t done yet, he came back to score a stroke-filled 81 in the second innings on a deteriorating and tough pitch.

His 81 looked like he was batting on a completely different pitch as none of the other Indian batsmen crossed 30 and India managed only 204 in their second innings.

He countered Broad (who was bowling beautifully) and Rashid superbly as he was in complete control of the innings. His 167 and 81 in the two innings helped India take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series.

#1 235 vs England – Mumbai (2016)

A career-best 235 from Kohli helped India post 631.

When India reached Mumbai for the 4th Test, they had their eyes set in a series win as they were 2-0 up in the 5-match series. Kohli’s had scores of 40, 49*, 167, 81, 62 and 6* in his last 6 innings. So, his was in terrific form and his purple patch just continued as he blasted a scintillating 235.

Batting first England posted 400 in their first innings. Kohli came into bat on the third ball on Day 3. India were still trailing by 254 runs.

He started slowly as he took nine deliveries to get off the mark. Early in his innings, England attacked him by bowling in his weak zone - bowling in the area outside off stump, trying to extract an edge. But he countered it really well as he played with soft hands and let go most of the balls in that zone.

Once he was set, he looked in complete control and he held India’s innings together as, after Vijay’s (who scored 136) dismissal, India lost wickets at regular intervals.

Kohli reached his 15th Test hundred with India seven wickets down and were within touching distance of 400. But with a solid-looking Jayant Yadav at the other end, Kohli got a chance to build on his 100. He cut, drove, pulled, played late and whipped deliveries with authority as he completed his 3rd double ton in as many series’.

The Wankhede crowd were treated to something very special from a very special player. His innings of 235 ended as he was looking to increase the scoring rate (with the declaration in sight). It was the highest score by an Indian captain in Test history. His magnificent effort ensured the hosts batted England out of the contest. This 235 is by far one of his best Test knocks.