Virat Kohli achieves another milestone, becomes first player to win 50 games in all formats
India Test and ODI skipper Virat Kohli might not be in the best of forms with the bat but that has not stopped him from shattering records. Kohli, who led India to their biggest Test victory in terms of runs in the second Test against New Zealand, became the first player to record 50 international wins as a player in all three formats.
Coming in on day four of the second Test, India wrapped up New Zealand in just 11 overs. The hosts bundled out the visitors for just 167 and thereby registered a thumping 372 runs victory. India thus won the series 1-0 and are back to the number one spot in the Test rankings. Once again, the spinners were the chief destroyers, with Ravi Ashwin leading the charge with eight wickets in the match.
It was his brilliant spell on day three that eased the passage of play for India on day four. All-rounder Jayant Yadav did the bulk of the damage on day four and finished with four wickets in the innings. India thus continued to stay unbeaten at home under Kohli’s leadership. The hosts have also moved up the ladder in the Test Championship Points Table. They are now placed third, behind Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Speaking about Kohli, he was spot on with his captaincy moves. He didn’t enforce the follow-on despite India getting a good lead in the first innings. Irrespective of his lean patch with bat, Kohli has taken Indian cricket to great heights. Kohli-led India will next take on South Africa in a three-match Test series. India have not beaten South Africa in a Test series away from home and Kohli will aim to create history against a depleted South Africa unit.