Top 3 Virat Kohli Test Knocks Against South Africa
Virat Kohli scored a Test hundred against The Proteas in his maiden red-ball outing in South Africa [X.com]
After India's white-ball tour, the all-important Test series will commence on Boxing Day against South Africa in their own backyard.
South Africa remains India's final frontier, having not won a Test series since the maiden red-ball contest between both nations in 1992-93.
Former India skipper Virat Kohli will once again be in action in the white, having last played a Test in July, however, his form has been impeccable in Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Kohli, who played his first Test against South Africa in 2013, has slammed 1,236 runs with three centuries and four fifties. Kohli's tally of 1,236 runs is the fourth-highest for the star batter against a Test-playing nation out of his 8,676.
Virat Kohli has a big list of centuries, and in South Africa, the 35-year-old averages above 51 and has slammed 719 runs, including two centuries and three half-centuries, showcasing his like for the conditions, which are testing yet rewarding.
Ahead of the first Test on December 26, in this article, we at OneCricket rate Kohli's Top 3 knocks against South Africa, which have wowed fans.
153 vs South Africa, Centurion 2018
Virat Kohli scored his second Test century in South Africa [X.com]
In the second Test at Centurion, South Africa scored a par score of 335 runs in their first innings, giving India a sniff. However, the batting suffered an initial collapse before Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli consolidated, which became the foundation for the latter's brilliant knock.
Kohli found himself in isolation as other batters around him faltered and the former skipper singlehandedly steered India out of a ditch. The Indian batter played out a probing bodyline attack and exhibited immense control while playing on the off-stump line.
Kohli reached his fifty in quick time taking just 68 balls and registered his second ton in South Africa, in 146 deliveries. In the end, Kohli helped India past the 300-run mark and was the final wicket of the innings, scoring a majestic 153 off 217 with 15 fours.
India went on to lose the Test, failing to chase down 287, giving South Africa a 135-run win.
119 vs South Africa, Johannesburg 2013
Virat Kohli celebrates his maiden Test ton in South Africa [X.com]
Selected for his maiden South African tour, Kohli had a phenomenal 2012, scoring centuries against Australia, New Zealand, and England, and had all the confidence in his belly. India started poorly in the first Test with Kohli entering the field on the score of 24 for 2.
Kohli took charge against the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Jacques Kallis, with Cheteshwar Pujara playing the sheet anchor role. The then-young batter battled tough conditions and displayed grit mixed with aggression, reaching his maiden Test ton in South Africa in just 140 balls, laced with 61 fours.
In the first innings, Kohli fell for 119 and then repeated his heroics in the second innings as well slamming a 193-ball 96, playing a restraint role. The 35-year-old won the 'Man of the Match' award as the Test ended in a draw.
254* vs South Africa, Pune 2019
Virat Kohli's seventh Test double-hundred came against SA [X.com]
Enduring a slump in 2019, Virat Kohli took the field a visit South Africa at Pune in the second Test of the Freedom Trophy 2019, which was part of ICC WTC as well. Kohli came out to bat with India comfortably poised at 163 for 2 and joined Mayank Agarwal, who looked primed for a century.
On a placid batting track, Kohli started milking bowlers at will, where Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Mortie looked toothless. The former India captain took a special liking to spinner Keshav Maharaj, whom the batter took off 87 runs from just 115 balls.
With constant support from the other end, Kohli scored his century in 173 balls and then moved on to register his seventh Test double-century, which came off 295 balls.
Kohli recorded his highest-individual score in red-ball cricket, remaining unbeaten on 254* off 336 balls, which included 33 fours and two sixes. India went to win the match by an innings and 137 runs as Kohli picked up the 'Player of the Match' award.
 "Vishal Mehra")
