Virat Kohli scored a gritty 149 to rescue India and leave the interesting first Test finely balanced as England were left to rue several missed chances before they ended the second day 22 runs ahead on Thursday.
Virat Kohli scored a gritty 149 to rescue India and leave the interesting first Test finely balanced as England were left to rue several missed chances before they ended the second day 22 runs ahead on Thursday.
With England's pace bowlers running through India's much vaunted top order to leave them reeling on 100-5, it was left to captain Kohli to string together a series of partnerships as he seemed to be on a one-man mission to overhaul England's first innings total of 287.
Making the most of the two dropped catches by England at 21 and 51, Kohli let out a huge roar in celebration after belting the ball off Ben Stokes for a boundary to bring up his century.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video where Kohli spoke about his match-saving knock. Speaking about his maiden Test ton in England, Kohli said, “I tried to prepare the best way possible that I can and help my team as much as possible. It wasn’t only about getting to the three-figure mark but to continue from there on.
I was very disappointed when I got out as well because we could have taken a 10-15-run lead. But then we couldn’t be able to bowl them (smiles) so accept just what god has blessed on me. I’m just very happy with my preparation and not worried about the world.”
When asked how pressuring it was to bat with the tail-enders was, Kohli responded, “Yes, it was obviously difficult but I told myself that it was important to enjoy this and take upon me as a challenge to take the team far and take the innings deep. So yes, it was a test of physical and mental strength but I’m glad that we could come close to their total and we are pretty much in the game.
So, when you can help the team that way, it really feels great. I have to commend the tail as well, Hardik batted really well after we lost five, then the way Ishant [Sharma] and Umesh [Yadav] applied themselves, I think it was an outstanding effort from them so I also have to give a lot of credit to them for getting us this close. They got stuck in there, they really supported me well and you know, I could feel confident about them being out there, which is very important. I’m really proud of both of them as well. I’m very happy with the effort,” the Indian skipper added.
However, Kohli said his 149 in the ongoing Test would still not beat his Adelaide knock four years back.
“Since Adelaide still remains very special to me, this knock will come second to it. It was second innings and we were chasing and I had total clarity that we were going for the target, not once did I think that we were not. So, that was a beautiful zone to be in.”
Before signing off a charged up Kohli said that he was really happy with the team so far and he was grateful for having this opportunity to help the team this way and pull them back into the Test match and compete. “That’s what we are here to do – we are here to compete, we are here to fight and we are going to keep doing that.”
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