Indian captain Virat Kohli in recent seasons has developed the tendency to turn his centuries into some really big knocks, all of which has helped the team’s cause.
Before he scored his first double century on his home ground in New Delhi against Sri Lanka, Kohli registered five scores of 200 and above in the last 18 months – all of which have eventually resulted in India winning the Test match.
Here’s a quick look back at all of Kohli’s six double hundreds.
200 and batting vs Sri Lanka in December 2017 in New Delhi
Playing on his home ground at the Ferozeshah Kotla, the pressure of expectation was supposed to weigh down on the Indian captain. He had never scored a half-century, let alone a double hundred in his city for India in the longest format of the game. All that changed as Kohli, with one eye on a testing tour to South Africa, played freely against the already demoralised Lankans. The home boy was in the groove for another big innings and he did not waste any time in enthralling the fans as he sliced through the opposition bowling with ease as India moved from strength to strength. This was Kohli’s second double century in as many matches and his sixth as captain.
213 vs Sri Lanka in November 2017 in Nagpur
Scoring big runs has become second nature to the Indian captain. Against a depleted Sri Lankan attack, there was no way Kohli would not take advantage with the bat. Scoring at brisk pace, Kohli single-handedly ensured the morale of the visitors would hit rock bottom with a batting masterclass. Angelo Matthews and company could not find a way past his bat as he set the base for India to attack on all cylinders. The Lankans who were looking for places to hide failed miserably in their attempts at stopping Kohli. India rode their captain’s brilliance and went on to equal the record for their biggest win Test cricket. Kohli on a personal note added another record to his name as he equalled Brian Lara’s record of the most double tons as captain with his fifth.
204 vs Bangladesh in February in 2017 in Hyderabad
Another Test match, another double hundred for Virat Kohli. The Bangladeshi bowlers were buried under a mountain of runs as Kohli became the first batsman to score four double centuries in as four consecutive Test series. The Indian captain completed his 200 in less than a full day of play when he played his first lofted shot of the knock. Bangladesh had taken enough and more blows from the New Delhi man and like with his other big knocks, they could not recover as India beat them by 208 runs.
235 vs England in December 2016 in Mumbai
By now, the run machine that is Virat Kohli was making records his own at will. England and Kohli had a love affair like none other. In 2014, the right hand batsman went through his worst phase when touring England. Revenge was on his mind. Kohli led from the front once again as he batted more than anyone in his team in Mumbai. The captain took the English bowlers to task and alongside that helped his teammates settle down in the middle while batting with him. Kohli scored more than the England batsmen could manage in the second innings as India romped home to a thumping win after his massive innings.
211 vs New Zealand in October 2016 in Indore
It was the third Test match of a series the visitors did not enjoy. The Indian batting led by none other than Virat Kohli was in top form and the bowlers backed them up ably. At Indore, a normally top heavy Indian batting were having a hard time till the captain stepped up. Kohli, normally a batsman who loves to score at a brisk pace was forced to take his foot of the gas and rebuild along with Ajinkya Rahane. It was an innings unlike any from Kohli as he dug in and played without any risks. Kohli would eventually go onto score 211 as India batted the Kiwis out of the match en route a series whitewash.
200 vs West Indies in July 2016 in Antigua
India began their tour of the West Indies in grand style in Antigua as they amassed a massive first innings score. Captain Kohli was fantastic touch and after the top order went through a mini-collapse, he not only steadied the ship with Shikhar Dhawan but also converted a century to a double hundred for the first time ever. With no one in the West Indies team coming close to matching up to that performance, India ran out as comfortable winners by an innings and 92 runs.
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