Virat Kohli made his 500th International appearance memorable with his 29th Test hundred as India ended their first innings at 438 at Tea on the second day of the second Test against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain on Friday.
Kohli was eventually run out for a polished 121 off 206 balls. It ended his flourishing 159-run partnership with Jadeja. This is only the third time in his Test career that Kohli has been run out.
But it was Kohli’s 29th Test century, which helped him equal Donald Bradman, that was the talking point. Kohli reached the milestone with a slick boundary off Shannon Gabriel in half an hour after the start.
The wide grin while raising his bat and then taking a bow said it all. The No. 4 batter reached the milestone in his 111th Test.
This was also Kohli’s first International century overseas since December 2018. His last ton in overseas Tests came in Perth during their series triumph. He now has 76 International tons across all formats.
Both Kohli and Jadeja were dismissed in quick succession as West Indies’ best bowler Kemar Roach accounted for Jadeja.
Kohli was hardly troubled by any of the West Indies pacers, showing the perfect application and determination on this wicket.
The Queens Park Oval track is certainly way better for strokeplay compared to the first Test venue of Windsor Park in Dominica. One could hit through the line even though there were deliveries that were gripping off the surface and some that stopped and came onto the bat.
Kohli, who got off the mark with a straight drive afterconsuming 20 dot balls on Thursday, headed into Day II just 13 runs shy of his hundred. The majority of his 11 boundaries came on the off side, including a perfect cover drive off a Roach half-volley in the 57th over.
Kohli looked in sublime touch and just as assured during his 206-ball innings. He found his timing straightaway and was calling the shots. Jadeja was smart with his judgement and both batters ticked along in the first hour. He was cautious too and consumed 152 balls for his 61 before being caught behind off Roach.
India lost Ishan Kishan (25), Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin after lunch. Ashwin was the last man out for 56 off 78 balls.
