The Indian skipper Virat Kohli has smashed his 21st Test century in the ongoing second Test match against the hosts South Africa. The milestone was achieved in the first half-hour of the third day and he celebrated the way he always does soaking in the applause from the crowd. He would want to continue in the same vein and bail his team out of the trouble. However, the achievement from him is really special and deserves all the praise coming towards him.
After bowling South Africa out for 335 on the second day, India were in a spot of bother at 28/2 after losing a couple of quick wickets. But Virat Kohli looked determined ever since he came out to bat in the middle and was hardly troubled. He took on the challenge posed by the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel. Moreover, he also kept on rotating strike never getting bogged down.
The wickets fell around him but the fluent cover drives and straight drives were unfurled during his matured innings. It seemed that he was batting on a totally different planet with his partners struggling consistently. The skipper though led from the front and continued the way he dominates at home. He also assisted Hardik Pandya to counter the reverse swing from the fast bowlers of the hosts. He brought up his century with a tuck on the leg-side which was a close single and let out a roar eventually making a statement of his arrival to the country.
India in trouble
Soon after the jubilation of Kohli’s ton, it was another madness moment for the visitors as Pandya lazily walked back to his crease even as Philander managed a direct hit. India lost their sixth wicket with just 209 runs on the board as R Ashwin came to support the ever-present Virat Kohli. They need to get close to the total of South Africa and guard against presenting them with a fruitful lead. Until their skipper is there, India would be relieved and he will make sure that his team fights right till the end.