Kohli ton keeps India in hunt

Captain’s century an ‘eyeopener’ for young England bowler

Virat Kohli’s brilliant century was an “eye-opener” to Sam Curran on the day the young England left-armer proved he too has the ability to be a match-winner in Test cricket.

Curran (four for 74) took three wickets in eight balls at one stage, but Kohli’s crucially was not among them as the India captain instead hit 149 to drag India right back into contention in the first Specsavers Test at Edgbaston.

The tourists recovered from 100 for five, and then 182 for eight, to reach 274 all out and therefore concede a lead of only 13 runs to England, who then stumbled to nine for one after losing Alastair Cook to the last ball of day two.

England’s 20-year-old seamer understandably had mixed feelings in just his second Test.

“Credit to a great innings there,” he said. “That’s what Test cricket is about, you play against the best players.

“I’m only in my second game, but I think it was a little eye-opener for me, watching the way he bats and how precise you’ve got to be with your lengths (to him).”

As for his own performance, Curran said: “Personally, it was a pretty special day for me with the ball.

“Coming on and taking a few early wickets, I can’t really remember it, it was so unreal. Obviously, it’s massive for me.”

England were powerless to stop Kohli, although he was twice dropped in the slips – on 21 and 51.

“We had them 100 for five, and felt in the game, then Virat played really well with their tail and frustrated us a little bit,” said Curran.

“But he did nick a lot of balls outside off-stump that didn’t carry as well.

“No one means to drop catches, and on another day they would be taken.

“But you can’t dwell on those things too much, especially in a game like this, because there’s going to be another chance coming at you straight away.”

Picture: Getty Images. Virat Kohli flicks the ball away for four during his knock of 149.