Top 3 Test victories under Virat Kohli’s captaincy

Former India skipper Virat Kohli has been phenomenal throughout his captaincy tenure. He might have underperformed in major tournaments but has been an amazing captain in the longest format of the game. He is India’s most successful Test captain. During his tenure, India has witnessed several memorable victories which give goosebumps to Indian fans. Today in this article we will discuss India’s top 3 Test victories under Virat’s captaincy.

1. India vs Australia, Bengaluru, 2017

The Bengaluru Test in a historic 2017 series has to be considered the most recent meeting in India that Australia will certainly look back on as a wasted chance. India entered this match having suffered a 333-run defeat in the first Test in Pune. The Bengaluru Test’s first two days increased India’s chances of suffering yet another humiliating loss. Although, On the third and fourth days, the Virat Kohli-led team made up ground, winning one of the most memorable red-ball matches in recent memory. After opting to bat first, KL Rahul’s 90 was inadequate for India, as Lyon’s 8 for 50 bowled them out for 189.

In response, Aussies started well but eventually got trashed by hosts. Allrounder Ravindra Jadeja followed suit in the Australian innings, taking six wickets to dismiss the visitors for 276. However, an 87-run lead felt like a nightmare for India. They needed to fight hard to set a target of 188 before Ravichandran Ashwin’s masterclass. The Ace spinner took 6 wickets for 41 as Australia collapsed and handed India the series-levelling triumph.

2. India vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2018

Going into this game Virat Kohli led India to have already lost the series by 0-2. South Africa in their home conditions opened the technical and mental deficiency of Indian batters. Although there was nothing to lose in the game and India went with full confidence. After batting first India once again failed to breach the mark of 200 runs in the series. They scored 189 runs as captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane scored fighting half-centuries.

In response, Indian pacers once again displayed amazing performance and bundled up hosts for 194 runs giving them just a seven-run lead. Star batter Hashim Amla emerged as the top scorer as he slammed a brilliant knock of 61 runs off 121 balls. The pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah helped India to restrict South Africa as they clinched eight wickets. Bumrah took five wickets while Bhuvi clinched three wickets. After two days of the game, India was looking into a great position to fight back. Kohli and co. Did the same as they trashed the hosts. After scoring 247 runs in the second innings They bundled up South Africa for just 177 runs. Pacer Mohammed Shami clinched five wickets as African batters succumbed in front of him. Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma also supported him as they clinched two wickets each.

Notably, this match has witnessed one of the deadliest pitches in the history of modern cricket. On Day 3 the game was called off because of a deadly bounce offered by the pitch and batters getting injured.

3. India vs England, Oval, 2021

India went to England for revenge as they were trashed by hosts in the last Test series they played there. To qualify for the Test Championship Virat Kohli and co were expected to win the series. The team barely managed to draw the first Test and then winning the second one gave them a 1-0 lead in the series. However, in the third game, Joe Root’s lead host made a comeback and levelled the series. In the most crucial game at Oval India once again succumbed to the pace bowlers as they got bundled up for just 191 runs in the first innings. In response, England batted well and took a hefty lead of 91 runs. They were controlling the game and it was only England who could have lost the game. They did the same after having a good lead in the first innings they failed to stop Indian batters in the second innings, especially Hitman Rohit Sharma.

Rohit hammered his first away Test century as he scored 127 runs in the second innings giving India a ray of hope. His batting helped India to post a massive target of 368 runs as they scored 466 runs in the second innings. But chasing 368 for victory on a flat track, England started well as they added 100 for the first wicket. Both openers scored a Magestic half-century. Although a Masterclass from the Indian pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav bundled hosts for just 210 runs.