Virat Kohli produced a batting masterclass to put India in a commanding position on Day 2 of the second Test against South Africa at MCA Stadium, Pune.
The India captain played his career-best unbeaten knock of 254 as the hosts piled up a mammoth 601/5 (declared) in the first innings. With this herculean effort, Virat also became the first Indian batsman to hit seven double hundreds in red-ball cricket.
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Speaking after the end of second day’s play, Kohli said the responsibility of leading the team motivates him to push his limits.
"Feels great it's a nice little thing to get along in your career, to get most number of double hundreds," he told bcci.tv.
"I struggled to get big scores initially but then as soon as I became captain then you invariably just think about the team all the time, you can't just think about your game. In that process you end up batting more than you can imagine that's been the mindset for a long time now."
Reflecting on his 26th Test ton which also saw him breaking the barrier of 7000 runs in the longest format, the Indian skipper said thinking about the team helped him play his marathon innings in hot and humid conditions.
"It's difficult but if you keep thinking (about the) team then you push yourselves in situations you can't otherwise. That's the key in hot and humid, testing conditions you think about the team and you end up batting 3-4 hours more."
"That was the only challenging thing and then (Ravindra) Jadeja came to bat and you have to run fast with Jaddu. It was physically and mentally challenging and but that's what you prepare for as an international player."
When asked to pick his top two double centuries, Kohli chose the 200 against West Indies in Antigua and the 235 against England in Mumbai.
"The top two will be Antigua and Mumbai, the one against England. All double hundreds are special but those two are more special because one was away from home and one against England in challenging conditions, it was very hot and humid there."
The 30-year-old added that he was delighted by day two's outcome as everything went as per plan for India.
"The plan was simple, to get to 600 as soon as possible and make them bat tonight. Jaddu batted brilliantly, at a great tempo so that allowed me to take risks and hit the gap. That partnership was great for us we also bowled and ended up taking three wickets.
"That was the plan, we wanted to attack and be positive not just play out sessions and days. Whatever happened in the end that was the plan," Kohli concluded.
