Virat slam century in First test against SA, india 255/5 in first innings
Johannesburg: Virat Kohli made a fluent 119 as India produced a decent batting show on the opening day to leave the first cricket Test against South Africa evenly poised on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old Kohli, batting at the coveted number 4 position left vacant by retired batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, notched up his fifth Test century to steer the visitors to a comfortable 255 for five at close on a bouncy Wanderers track.
Ajinkya Rahane (43 batting) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (17 batting) were at the crease on an eventful opening day which saw the beleaguered Indian batting line-up giving a good account of themselves despite their only warm-up game being abandoned due to a wet outfield.
Kohli stole the thunder on the first day as he displayed wonderful counter-attacking ability with dazzling array of strokes all round the wicket after openers Shikhar Dhawan (13) and Murali Vijay (6) were dismissed cheaply by Dale Steyn (1/56) and Morne Morkel (1/27) within 15.1 overs
Kohli, India’s premier batsman, hit 18 sweetly timed boundaries in his 181-ball knock with the standout shot being a pull off the fast and furious Steyn. He played some flowing drives, played the square cut well and was severe on leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who was repeatedly pulled towards the deep mid-wicket boundary.
His shot selection was admirable as he was ready to leave a lot of deliveries but didn’t forget to punish the loose balls.
Kohli reached his fifth Test hundred when he played off-break bowler Jean-Paul Duminy’s delivery towards mid-wicket for a couple before celebrating the milestone with a leap and punch of his fists in the air.
As he took charge of taking on the Proteas attack, he was well complemented by Cheteshwar Pujara (25) during their 89-run third wicket stand before he was unfortunately run-out due to a horrible mix-up.
Rahane, playing only his second Test, also showed good temperament during their fifth-wicket stand of 68 runs as the young Mumbai batsman grew in confidence with passage of time.
Kohli was finally out giving a catch to Duminy at covers off Kallis’ bowling. Each bowler of the South African pace quartet got a wicket each.
After Kohli’s dismissal, Dhoni walked in, and negated the second new ball taken immediately when due by the Proteas, putting up 36 runs with Rahane for the unbroken sixth wicket stand taking India past the 250-run mark in the 85th over.
Rahane hit seven fours in his 105-ball knock with the best shot being a cover drive off Steyn when the latter was bowling with second new ball.
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