Top 3 Test Knocks By Virat Kohli In South Africa

Virat Kohli celebrating his century at Centurion in January 2018 (BCCI)

Virat Kohli, with his prowess with the willow, has etched a narrative of unparalleled excellence across all territories to underscore his mettle as a modern-day maestro of the game. His exceptional ability of navigating and conquering diverse playing conditions stands as a testament to his unparalleled skill, determination, and adaptability.

Within the crucible of South African playing conditions, where the fast and bouncy tracks often pose an arduous challenge for visiting batsmen, Kohli’s bat has not just spoken but roared. His dominance with the bat in this land of rigorous pace and swing has already reaffirmed his stature as a player who can transcend the boundaries of environment and circumstances. 

His prolific run-scoring spree worldwide is no different when he confronts the trials of South African pitches, where he has scripted a number of innings laced with his sheer brilliance, illuminating his stature as one of the all-time greats of the game.

Here at OneCricket, we take a look at three of such Virat Kohli’s performances, where his bat has shimmered the most amidst the adversities of South African playing conditions.

Top 3 Test Knocks By Virat Kohli In South Africa

1. 153 at Centurion, January 2018

Virat Kohli celebrating his 21st Test century at Centurion, January 2018 (BCCI)

Virat Kohli, in only his second Test expedition to South Africa, punched out an alluring 153 at Centurion to commence India’s January 2018 tour on a remarkable note. After the Indian bowlers had wrapped up the Proteas for 335 in their first innings upfront, the visitors lost their first two wickets in succession to slump to 28-2 in 9.4 overs.

Then captain Virat Kohli, batting at number four, led his side’s run-scoring charge from the front by forming a number of invaluable partnerships, first with opener Murali Vijay and then with Ravichandran Ashwin while batting with the tail.

Kohli produced 15 elegant boundaries in the innings, all while countering the likes of Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and an in-form Vernon Philander. He ended up amounting nearly half of his side’s total, considering Team India enveloped at 307 by the time of his dismissal at the hands of Morkel.

Even though the match was glittered with one of the best overseas batting performances from Virat Kohli, Team India failed to overcome the Proteas challenge by falling 135 runs short of their target later in the fourth innings.

2. 119 at Johannesburg, December 2013

Virat Kohli celebrating his fifth Test century in December 2013 (x.com)

Virat Kohli was part of the travelling Indian group to South Africa in late 2013, under the astute guidance of then skipper MS Dhoni. The tour also marked Kohli’s first to the rainbow nation as part of India’s Test set-up, considering he previously travelled to the country for ODIs and T20I matches in January 2011.

Unfazed by the occasion and not bothered by India’s torrid Test record in South Africa, the then 25-year-old fleshed out only his second overseas Test match century, and the fifth of his career, by producing a counterattacking 119 from 181 balls. Going up against the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander under the pristine pace-friendly conditions of Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium, the cricketer packed 18 elegant boundaries in his innings and ensured Team India shrugged off their top-order jitters with much ease.

Kohli shared crucial partnerships with Cheteshwar Pujara (25) and Ajinkya Rahane (47) before he was deceived by a slower delivery from South African legend Jacques Kallis at the brink of the opening day’s play. Nonetheless, his top-scoring effort set up India’s 280-run first innings total in the match.

3. 96 at Johannesburg, December 2013

Virat Kohli celebrating his 50 in the second innings of 2013 Johannesburg Test (AP)

Emboldened by his majestic first-innings ton, Virat Kohli backed up his 119-run knock from the opening day at Johannesburg by unfurling yet another batting masterclass in the second half of the game, this time taking South Africa’s seasoned attack to the cleaners for setting up a challenging fourth-innings target for the hosts.

Brandishing his bat against Dale Steyn and co. for more than four hours at the crease, the cricketer shared a colossal 222-run partnership with batting barnacle Cheteshwar Pujara for the third wicket. At one stage of the game, the two cricketers even pumped out 175 runs together in the space of a session on Day 3.

While Pujara composed a scintillating 153 in the innings, Kohli missed out on his second century of the match by a whisker as he fell victim to JP Duminy’s part-time spin on the fourth morning. Facing 193 deliveries in India’s second batting recital, the legendary cricketer scored 96 runs and belted nine boundaries in the process, thus tallying a remarkable haul of 215 runs in the match.

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