Kohli creates captaincy record in England with 23rd Test century
Virat Kohli crossed the 400run mark in this series, becoming only the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin ( 426) to do so against England
Nottingham, Aug. 20: Skipper Virat Kohli continued his fine form, scoring an unbeaten 93 as India reached a commanding 270/ 3 at tea on Day Three of the third cricket Test against England, here on Monday.
At the break, Ajinkya Rahane ( 17 not out) was giving Kohli company as India consolidated their overall lead to 438 runs. The duo had put on 46 runs for the unconquered fourth wicket stand.
Kohli continued his sedate partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara ( 72) after lunch as the duo went about their business in style. The pair looked in no
hurry as they continued grinding the English bowling attack.
India crossed 200 in the 63rd over with Kohli and Pujara bringing up their 100- run partnership off 270 balls. Kohli also crossed the 400- run mark in this series, becoming only the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin ( 426) to do so against England. Overall, he is the sixth Indian batsman to achieve this feat.
Things were moving along nicely when Pujara edged a Ben Stokes’
( 2/ 53) delivery to Alastair Cook at first slip against the run of play.
Pu jar a faced 208 balls and struck nine fours. He put on 113 runs with Kohli for the third wicket. Kohli and Rahane then batted with purpose as India’s lead continued to swell with time.
England took the second new ball as soon as it became available, but to no avail. Earlier, starting at the overnight score of 124/ 2, India had perfect conditions for batting on a humid and warm day. Kohli and Pujara scored 70 runs during the wicketless first session even after James Anderson’s superb spell in the morning.
He bowled seven overs in the first hour of play, including three maidens and gave away only seven runs.
Chris Woakes and Stokes kept things tight at the other end as the two batsmen
were troubled by awkward bounce on a few occasions. There were many play- and- miss deliveries, but nothing came forth for the bowlers. Anderson was very unlucky when Pujara, on 40, was dropped at second slip by Jos Buttler in
the 40th over.
Thereafter, Pujara reached his 18th Test halfcentury, his first in six innings, off 147 balls.
At the other end, Kohli reached his 18th Test halfcentury as well, off 82 balls.