Captain Virat Kohli's memorable Test wins for India
As captain, Kohli has led Team India to many victories, both home and away, and has pushed the opposition to limits. Here are some of his memorable Test wins as captain.
Test cricket has always been a challenge for any cricketer, be it a batsman or a bowler. For any player to make it big on the scene, he has to pass the 'Test'. Since making his debut in 2011, Virat Kohli's aggression was the most sought after and it has been that attribute, which has made him what he is today. 24 Test tons later, Kohli is considered as one of the best batsman of all time. 'Run-Machine' Kohli has shut his critics in style and has let his bat do the talking.
After MS Dhoni stepped down as Test captain in December 2014 (mid-series), it was Virat Kohli who was appointed as skipper and since then, there has been no looking back. As captain, Kohli has led Team India to many victories, both home and away, and has pushed the opposition to the limits.
As the Indian captain turns 30, here are some memorable Test wins for King Kohli as captain.
New Zealand tour of India (2016)
India hosted New Zealand in a three-match Test series before England and Virat Kohli-led Team India crushed the Black Caps, whitewashing the series 3-0. The captain also scored a double ton in the series and scored 309 runs in the three Tests he played. Despite the opposition putting on a valiant fight, India were just too good for the Kiwis.
England tour of India (2016)
Since MS Dhoni stepped down as Test captain, the responsibilities fell on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and the major challenge ahead of the Indian cricket team was hosting England in a five-match Test series. The Kohli-led side came out on top with flying colours as they routed the visitors England to seal the series 4-0 (4 wins and 1 draw). Defeating England saw the Indian cricket team impose their dominance and mettle in Test cricket. Kohli struck two tons, including a double ton and hammered 655 runs in the four-matches he played of five.
India tour of Sri Lanka (2017)
After 21 years, India travelled to Lanka and burnt the place down. The Virat Kohli led Team India crushed Sri Lanka in the three-match Test series, clean sweeping not only the Tests, but the entire tour as well. They won the 5-match ODIs 5-0 and the one-off T20I as well.
India tour of South Africa (Johannesburg Test, 2018)
Team India had a rough time when India toured South Africa earlier this year in January. India had lost the three-match Test series 2-0, but had one match to play in Johannesburg, a place India was never able to conquer. In what seemed to be a dead rubber, India spiced up matters with a dominating and ruthless performance on a devilish track, making the hosts uncomfortable to play. India emerged victorious and won the third and final Test by 63 runs.
India tour of England (Nottingham Test, 2018)
After being handed one of their biggest Test defeats at Lord's against England, vengeance was the emotion that was running through the Indian cricket team's mind and with the series on the line, India put on a show that rattled England in the 3rd Test of the five-match series. For captain Kohli, his two innings of 97 and 103 saw India thrash England to win by 203 runs. As a skipper, the series sticks as a huge stain on their history books, but as a batsman, Kohli exorcised the demons of 2014, smashing 593 runs which included two centuries and three fifties.