ENG vs IND 2018, 1st Test: Wishes Pours in as Stunning Virat Kohli Scores his Debut Century in England

Indian Cricket Team skipper Virat Kohli fought all his demons to score his debut hundred against England on Day 2 of the first Test against the host nation at Edgbaston. Since then, wishes started pouring in from all spheres of the world on Twitter.

Meanwhile, it was very hard to come by for the Indian captain. He was patient and treated the bowlers with great respect. His restraint from fishing outside the off stump, which brought about his downfall last time, was superb, as was England’s discipline in constantly testing him.

It resulted in Virat Kohli giving England two chances, one off James Anderson when on 21 and another off Ben Stokes when he’d passed his fifty. But Malan put down the chances, and Kohli made the most of them.

Kohli’s stellar hundred was made all the more impressive by the bowlers’ performance. He overcame all the English bowlers who wrecked havoc in the Indian batting order. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, Kohli’s determination did not waver. He continued to leave and defend the good balls.

There were many unplayable balls in between, but Virat Kohli did not play a shot in anger, underlining his intention to bat as long as possible. The ball continued to swing throughout the day, and Kohli did not have a single partnership over fifty, before he took matters into his own hands with Umesh Yadav, India’s number 11, at the other end.

With India 9 down for 217, Kohli was still one shot away from his hundred. He got there with a cut past point, let out a scream and kissed his wedding ring as the Edgbaston crowd that booed his entry rose up to give him a wonderful ovation. In search for quick runs, Virat Kohli gave his wickets to Adil Rashid cutting to the hands of Stuart Board.

Meanwhile, this was the first time since August 2015, Virat Kohli had failed to convert his 100 into a 150.

India finish the day on a high

India opened with Mohammed Shami, and in a surprise move, Ravichandran Ashwin from the other end. Virat Kohli hoped the offspinner could do what he did early in England’s first innings. He did exactly that. Alastair Cook was once again out bowled by an absolute ripper, and England went into stumps at 9 for 1, leading by 22 runs.

Celebrities praised captain Virat Kohli on Twitter:

Namaskar @imVkohli. Aaj aapne kamal khel ka pradarshan kiya hai. Khush rahiye,jeete rahiye.

— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) August 2, 2018

This was a good and proper classic TEST innings. Kept it together, protected the tail, bossed the opposition. Masterful!!!@imVkohli Just masterful! #ENDvIND

— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) August 2, 2018

Virat Kohli is a great batsman and
true leader. Single handedly he took India near England's score.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 2, 2018

Virat Kohli! He brings me back to cricket ?

— N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) August 2, 2018

Don’t get me wrong I like short format cricket but last 2 days of test cricket has given me more joy than last 4 months of cricket ! #INDVENG

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) August 2, 2018

Day 2 my take: 1) @imVkohli is master of all conditions b) cricket is a game of fine margins. If caught on 21, we’d again say Virat is Anderson bunny c) Indian batting line up is brittle in seaming conditions d) Indian team has spunk to fight e) Cook is Ashwin bunny! #INDvENG

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 2, 2018

???????????????????????????????????? @imVkohli #INDvENG Captain Marvellous

— Suresh Menon (@sureshnmenon) August 2, 2018