Virat Kohli made a seamless return to the international cricket by hitting his 24th century after missing his turn at Asia Cup 2018, UAE. On Friday, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association, mark the Day 2 of the opening Test between India and West Indies. The Indian captain dragged India to a magical three-figure mark. Kohli’s century helped India pile on more misery on the visiting Windies team on Day 2 after Prithvi Shaw’s record-breaking century on the opening day of the first Test. Virat Kohli became the second quickest batsman to reach 24 Test centuries, behind only Australian great Donald Bradman.

The Indian skipper also surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith to go second in the list of centurions among active players, behind South Africa’s Hashim Amla on 28.

Kohli reached his 24th century in his 123rd innings, while Australia’s Bradman took just 66 knocks to achieve the same feat.

Kohli, who was unbeaten on 72 at stumps on Day 1, also became the joint-quickest to reach 3,000 Test runs in India, sharing the top spot with Cheteshwar Pujara, who was dismissed for 86 on Day 1.

Kohli and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant were the two overnight batsmen for India and both of them looked entirely at ease on Day 2.

Pant gave a good account of himself but sometimes in his zeal to be aggressive, he did give a few chances to the visitors. The wicketkeeper-batsman took on the short-ball despite fielders patrolling the boundary.

He reached his half-century by depositing Keemo Paul to the mid-wicket boundary for a maximum. While Kohli played delightful cricketing shots, Pant’s innings was a complete contrast.

Pant fell eight runs short of his second Test century, trying to go for a big hit off the bowling off Devendra Bishoo but managed to get only a leading edge.

India declared their first innings on 649-9 on Day-2 of their first Test.

 

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