India captain Virat Kohli, who had a terrific run against South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, and England and also in the one off test against Bangladesh in 2016 and the start of 2017, is now under scanner because of his low scorers against Australia in first two matches of the four-match test series. In this series Kohli has scored 0 and 13 in the 1st test and 12 and 15 in the 2nd test so far.
However, everyone knows he needs just one good innings to be back on the track. After hammering Australia in the 2nd test match at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy stadium all eyes will be on the Captain aggressive to deliver in the upcoming 3rd test match at JSCA International Stadium Complex at Ranchi on 16th to 20th March 2017.
Against Australia he has scored bulk of runs in his test career. In 14 matches and 26 innings, Kohli has scored 1316 runs at an average of 52.64 with six centuries and three half centuries so far. His best score of 169 runs has come in 2014 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Let’s relive Virat Kohli’s top five knocks against the Aussies –
169 and 54 at Melbourne in 2014 – This is the top score of Kohli against Australia. This came in India’s last tour to Down Under in 2014. After Sikhar Dhawan and Chesteshwar Pujara went early, it was Virat Kohli’s 169 and Ajinkya Rahane and Murli Vijay timely knocks that helped India post a total of 465 in their 1st innings. In the 2nd innings too Kohli’s 54 saved India the game. In the end this test match resulted in a draw.
115 and 141 runs at Adelaide in 2014 – In this test Virat Kohli captained India for the first time in Test. He broke many records when he score two hundreds in two consecutive innings as a Captain. He was under pressure right from the start of that tour. His 115 in the 1st innings came under pressure. Apart from Kohli’s 115, Pujara’s 73, Murli Vijay’s 53 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 62 scored against that Aussie bowling attack which allowed India to score 444 in their 1st innings. Chasing the target of 364 in the 2nd innings India was on the course of a big win in Adelaide but the wicket of Murli Vijay turned the game towards Australia. As Indian batsmen couldn’t stuck around with Kohli to chase that total, Kohli’s 141-run knock went in vain. India lost the match by 48 runs in the end.
147 at Sydney in 2015 – Virat Kohli ended this tour with another magnificent hundred. His 147 run knock again came in under pressure situation. After Australia declared their 1st innings on 572 runs, India got off to another poor start. This time it was Murali Vijay who went to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. But Lokesh Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s partnership helped India for time being. But it was again Kohli’s brilliance that took pressure off them. His marathon knock of 147 helped India to come closer to Australia’s total. This innings was his third consecutive hundred as a captain. His 147 helped India to pile up 475 in their 1st innings. In 2nd innings too, Kohli contributed 46 runs that helped India to draw this match.
116 at Adelaide in 2012 - His love affair with Adelaide started from here. This was Kohli’s first tour Down Under. His knock of 116 was only highlight of that Indian Innings. But it wasn’t enough as India lost this match by huge margin of 248 runs.
107 at Chennai 2013 - This is Kohli’s only hundred against Australia at home. His 107 runs at Chennai set the tone for the hosts in that series. It was real treat for the Indian cricket fans to watch Kohli’s innings of 107 and master class knock of MS Dhoni. His 224 runs gave India the momentum to seal the match by eight wickets and series. It was the first time that India beat Australia 4-0 in a Test series.
