India skipper Virat Kohli recorded his maiden Test century on English soil during the second day’s play in the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Thursday (August 2).
Responding to England’s first innings total of 287, India were tottering at 100 for 5 amidst adverse conditions. However, Virat was determined to bury the demons of his previous England tour as he fought a lone battle to compile his 22nd ton in Test cricket.
The 29-year-old hit Ben Stokes for a square-cut four to bring up his century that came in 172 balls. Although Kohli benefitted from a dropped catch at second slip on 21, he hardly lost his focus all through the innings. His crafty hundred was laced with 14 boundaries.
It is worth mentioning here that Virat hasn’t been able to perform at his best in red-ball cricket on English soil despite boasting an awe-inspiring record all over the world. During the 2014 England tour, Kohli had aggregated only 134 runs at a dismal average of 13.40 in five Test matches. No wonder, this innings has come as a relief to him.
Twitterati were in awe to see the way Kohli crafted his innings amidst the middle order collapse. Here are some of the top tweets hailing the Indian captain:
A very important knock by @ImVkohli. Lovely way to set up the Test series. Congrats on your Test hundred. #ENGvIND
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 2, 2018
Been a privilege to have seen this innings from Virat Kohli.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 2, 2018
This man proves himself again and again with such crucial knocks. A hundred and that too playing with the tail which is not an easy task at all. Required a lot of patience and determination. What a player! @imVkohli #ENDvIND
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) August 2, 2018
A brilliant hundred from Kohli. Scored more in this first innings than he did in 10 innings in 2014. Added 99 so far with Shami, Ishant and Yadav , who have scored 8 between them. #ENGIND pic.twitter.com/POeNkl9Oip
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 2, 2018
This knock of @imVkohli reminds me of @Schwarzenegger’s role in the movie called “THE LAST STAND”. ???????? ????????#ENGvIND
— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) August 2, 2018
Take a bow @imVkohli. Brilliant ton when the team needed it the most. All the 2014 talk has been laid to rest by this special batsman. ???? pic.twitter.com/Tpr1Vi9Fsb
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 2, 2018
WHAT A CHAMPION 100 ???????????? captain leading from the front.. much needed...absolutely brilliant @imVkohli welldone @ImIshant @y_umesh too ???? #ENDvIND @BCCI pic.twitter.com/kNuDCbqqOx
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 2, 2018
A lot of heat on Kohli and produces a 100 in his first innings. #class ????
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) August 2, 2018
Congratulations to @imVkohli for a fantastic ????,great knock! A captain leading from the front, a delight to watch. #ENGVIND
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) August 2, 2018
Forget record books, think Virat should have one for himself. This is some statement from the Indian Skipper. #ENGvIND
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) August 2, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed watching that battle. Test cricket at it's best. Triumph over adversity and a joy to watch Virat Kohli craft, construct and conquer his surroundings on to his 22nd test century.
— ian bishop (@irbishi) August 2, 2018
One of his most important hundreds. An absolutely brilliant innings from @imVkohli . Has single handedly kept India in the game. What a player ! #ENDvIND
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 2, 2018
For one of the best stroke players in the world, this Virat 100 was about ‘not’ playing strokes.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 2, 2018
Left 40 balls alone. 26 against Anderson. That’s more than 4 overs of Anderson left alone!
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A masterclass from Virat Kohli, leading from the front. A display of tremendous character determination and grit #ENGIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 2, 2018
First Century. First of Many. Well played, Virat Kohli. Best batsman on the planet. #EngvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 2, 2018
That’s an incredible knock @imVkohli !!! 1 man battle against the moving ball ..... #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 2, 2018
Outstanding ???? from Kohli
— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) August 2, 2018