Proteas lambs to the slaughter
CARNAGE: KOHLI SMASHES AN UNDEFEATED 254 IN PUNE
Virat Kohli hit a career-best 254 to overtake batting great Don Bradman’s Test tally of 6 996 runs and put India in command of the second Test against South Africa yesterday.
Kohli recorded his seventh double century before he declared India’s first innings on 601/5 in Pune.
His 225-run fifth-wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who made 91, shattered South Africa’s bowlers after the hosts elected to bat first.
The tourists were precariously placed at 39/3 at stumps with paceman Umesh Yadav claiming the two openers.
Yadav trapped Aiden Markram lbw without scoring and then bowled Dean Elgar for six.
Mohammed Shami had Temba Bavuma caught behind for eight as South Africa slipped to 33/3.
Theunis de Bruyn on 22 and fast bowler Anrich Nortje, on two, were batting at the close with South Africa needing another 366 to avoid a follow-on.
Kohli took the day’s honours with a marathon innings that extended India’s domination after they resumed on 273/3.
Playing his 50th Test as captain, Kohli surpassed Bradman’s total and then swept spinner Senuran Muthusamy for two to reach 200.
The benchmark puts him in the top 50 Test run-scorers led by Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar with 15 921 runs in 200 matches.
Muthuswamy had Kohli caught at slip on 208 with his left-arm spin but TV replays showed he had overstepped the bowling line and the delivery was a no-ball.
Kohli and Jadeja attacked the opposition bowlers with a string of fours and sixes.
Kohli smashed Muthusamy for a boundary to go past his previous-best Test score of 243. He ended the day unbeaten with 33 fours and two sixes. –