‘Rate this century second to Adelaide’

Virat Kohli rated his 225ball 149 against England in the first innings of the first Test as second best of his career after the 141 in a lost chase against Australia in Adelaide in 2014.

“I’m not too sure, but this could come in second to Adelaide. It (Adelaide) still remains very special to me, because it was the second innings and we were chasing a target, wherein I had total clarity that we are going for the target. Not once did I think otherwise,” Kohli said during an interview with bcci.tv.

“That was a beautiful zone to be in and I’m very happy and grateful for having this opportunity to help the team this way and pull us back in the Test and compete. That’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to compete. We’re here to fight and we will continue doing that.”

His battle with James Anderson would be remembered for long as despite getting beaten repeatedly, Kohli kept his cool and batted his side to a decent position. “It was difficult. I told myself it was important to enjoy this, take it upon me as a challenge to take the team far,” said Kohli who batted with Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to add 92 runs for the last two wickets.

“I have to laud the tail as well. Hardik batted really well after we were five wickets down. Then, the way Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav applied themselves, I think it was an outstanding effort from them and I have to give a lot of credit to them for getting us this close. They stuck in there, supported me really well and I’m very proud of both of them and happy with the effort,” he said.

MUMBAI:

Balls faced against Runs scored against

68

Anderson Anderson