On this day in 2016, Virat Kohli registered his best Test score against England notching up a double century. Kohli’s 235 at Wankhede in 2016 was a masterclass in endurance and skill, anchoring India’s 631 on a turning track. Batting nearly nine hours, he dismantled England’s attack. It was his third double-century of the year, a record for an Indian captain.
With only five main batters in the side, India were six down and trailing by 93 runs when Kohli started amping it up, sweeping out of the rough, driving against the turn and lofting down the ground. When he was done, England were done too. With a victory over England by an innings and 36 runs, India also sealed a series win and whitewashed England 4-0 in the series. It was a dominating performance with both bat and ball and of course led by the captaincy of Virat Kohli
2016 was a special year for Virat Kohli as he racked up runs for fun across formats. However, it was in the Test setup wherein he truly shone and took his game to the next level. When England came to India for a Test series, the then-India captain showed his class and notched up centuries at will. This knock of 235 runs off 340 deliveries, with 25 fours and a six was also his personal highest score in this format.
England had James Anderson, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jake Ball and Ben Stokes in their bowling attack but none of them could manage to trouble the India captain. Virat Kohli won the player of the series award for scoring 655 runs in eight innings, which included two centuries and as many fifties.
This innings of 235 by Virat Kohli also broke plenty of records.
- Highest Test score by an India captain
- Highest Test score by an India batsman against England
- Highest Test score by an India batsman at the Wankhede Stadium
- First India player to score three Test double centuries in a year
- The first man to hit three double centuries in three successive series
