Top 3 Test Knocks By Virat Kohli Vs England

image-lrdc7plqVirat Kohli has a stellar record against the England team. (X.com)

Virat Kohli stands as a paragon of class and greatness, especially in the longest form of cricket, donning the whites for India. Often mentioned in the same breath as the likes of the legendary Sir Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli has carved a legacy that places him at the pinnacle of modern-day cricket. His journey in Test cricket began 12 years ago against the West Indies on a spicy wicket in Kingston, where he faced an unremarkable start, scoring only four in the first innings and 15 in the second.

Over the decade that followed his Test debut, Kohli not only established himself as one of the all-time greats but also assumed leadership responsibilities for the Indian Test team. Taking over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014, Kohli has led India in a record 66 Test matches. Kohli is a remarkable player who boasts great stats across formats.

Against England, Kohli has amassed 1991 runs in 28 Test matches, standing a mere 9 runs away from the milestone of 2000 runs against the Three Lions. The batting great has recorded five centuries and nine fifties in these encounters. With the eagerly awaited five-match Test series against England approaching, Kohli will surely surpass the 2000-run mark, adding another feather to his decorated and inspiring career.

Considering these numbers, Kohli will surely be the one player to watch out for in the upcoming home series against England. On that note, let's revisit his top three Test innings against the English team.


149 in Birmingham, 2018

image-lrdcgcfmKohli's most memorable hundred against England came in Birmingham. (X.com)

Kohli's first Test century in England stands out as one of his most unforgettable innings against the English side. This tour served as a redemption journey for Kohli, addressing the criticisms he faced after struggling against high-quality pace and swing bowling during his first visit in 2014. Now established as the world's best, Kohli responded emphatically with a remarkable 149 runs off 225 balls in the first Test four years later, including 22 fours and a six.

In the opening Test match at Edgbaston, Kohli effectively silenced his critics with a commanding innings that guided India to a competitive position on Day 2. His knock of 149 was a captain's masterpiece, especially as he skillfully shepherded the tail-enders and stabilized the innings amid a flurry of wickets. This resilient performance showcased Kohli's ability to maintain composure even as wickets fell consistently on the other end. Collaborating with the last three batsmen, he contributed 105 runs, leaving the outcome of the intriguing first Test finely balanced.

235 in Mumbai, 2016

image-lrdccmsjThis is the only double hundred Kohli has scored against England. (X.com)

In 2016, during England's tour of India for a five-Test series, the second and third games resulted in losses for England following a draw in the first. The cricketing action then shifted to Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. As India entered Mumbai for the fourth Test with a 2-0 lead in the series, skipper Virat Kohli was in exceptional form. With three fifty-plus scores in his last four innings, Kohli appeared poised for another big innings. During this match, he indeed delivered, smashing his third double century of the same calendar year, which was also his highest score in Test cricket at that time.

Kohli's outstanding knock saw him amass an impressive 235 runs in the first innings, propelling India's total beyond the 600-run mark. Playing 340 balls, he showcased his batting prowess with 25 boundaries and a solitary six, leaving formidable bowlers like James Anderson, Chris Woakes, Jake Ball, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Adil Rashid struggling.

This marked Kohli's third Test double century, setting a record as the highest ever made by any Indian cricket team skipper. His innings provided India with a substantial advantage in the first innings, and with the Indian bowlers delivering strong performances, England was ultimately defeated by an innings and 36 runs.

103 in Nottingham, 2018

image-lrdcbdh8This was Kohli's second Test ton on English soil. (X.com)

Arguably one of Virat Kohli's most important tons abroad, this remarkable innings was played during India's recent tour of England in 2018. Following consecutive losses in the first two Tests of the 2018 series, India secured a rare victory on English soil, with Kohli being named the player of the match. Despite falling just three runs short of a century in the first innings, Kohli had a challenge in his hand when he came onto bat in the second innings with the team stuck at 111-2.

Facing a testing spell of James Anderson, his old adversary, Kohli displayed resilience and determination to gather runs. While he was dismissed for 97 in the first innings, he capitalized on a second opportunity. Despite being given a lifeline by Jennings when he was on 93, Kohli ensured he seized the chance and crossed the magical three-figure mark. Ultimately, the Indian captain compiled a magnificent 103 off 197 balls, playing a pivotal role in setting a daunting target of 521 for the home team.