As Virat Kohli approaches 100th Test, lets look at the top Test knocks of the run machine

Virat Kohli, alias Virat “The Run Machine” Kohli has been an integral and probably the most important contributor to the Indian team ever since he made his debut for the country. While it might be very difficult to pick the best knocks of the icon because all his innings have been a visual treat and display of great batsmanship, we will still try and pick five of the best test innings of Virat Kohli as the star batsman approaches his 100th test.

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141 vs Australia: Adelaide, 2014

This was the first test match Virat Kohli played as India’s Test captain. Indians were under severe pressure and the young captain played two marvellous knocks in both innings. But his 141 in the fourth innings of the test has earned the spot for the best test innings by him because of the brand of cricket played by him. 

While chasing 364 runs, India was under pressure at 57 for the loss of 2 wickets, when Virat Kohli walked out. The scoreboard pressure or the loss of partners from the opposite end did not influence the captain and he played a great counter-attacking knock of 141 runs from 175 deliveries. Although he could not take India to victory as the team fell short of the target by 49 runs.

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103 vs England: Nagpur, 2012

This innings came in the 4th test of a rare series where Indians were completely outplayed by the visitors in their home conditions. India’s batting woes in the series was evident when Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni came together at the crease with India at 4 for 71 in response to England's 330.

Virat Kohli played out 295 deliveries for his 103 runs, scoring at a strike rate of 34.91, quite opposite to the brand of cricket related to Virat Kohli in general. This innings ultimately helped India draw the test.

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103 vs England: Nottingham,2018

The importance of this innings lies in the fact that it came in India’s second innings and set the match up for India. Kohli scored 103 runs off 197 deliveries and helped India set a target of 521 runs for the hosts. The hosts ultimately fell short by 203 runs.

116 vs Australia: Adelaide, 2012

Indians were under pressure from Australia’s huge score of 604 runs. Virat came into bat when the score was 4 for 87. While even the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman couldn’t put up a fight, it was the young Virat Kohli who stood as a lone warrior, scoring 116 runs off 213 deliveries out of the team’s total of 272 runs.

 Although India lost the match, the fighting attitude and the temperament displayed by the young man was probably a prelude to the great things the young man was to achieve.

235 vs England: Mumbai, 2016

England put up a total of 400 runs in the first innings of the match. India came out to bat and the innings was dominated by the Indian captain who scored 235 runs at a strike rate of nearly 70. Virat had the aid of Murali Vijay and Jayant Yadav and Indians put up a mammoth total of 631 runs. England were unable to go past India’s Score of first innings and ended up losing the match by an innings and 36 runs.

Virat Kohli is a modern great in the field of cricket. His importance lies in the dynamism he brings in the field with his presence, be it with the bat or on the field. Picking his best performances is not easy as all his top knocks have been equally important to the team. All his fans and cricket fans, in general, would love to see many more great knocks by the Titan in the coming years.