ENG vs IND 2018, First Test: Harbhajan Singh Hails Virat Kohli For 'Champion 100'

Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh lauded Virat Kohli after the India skipper’s superb century in the ongoing first Test against England.

All eyes were on Virat Kohli when he walked out to bat after India lost their second wicket with just 54 runs on the board. The 29-year old, arguably the best batsman in the world at the moment, had endured a wretched time in England 4 years ago. He had scored just 134 runs in 10 innings. The English bowlers had constantly troubled him by bowling just outside the off-stump.

Not surprisingly, the cricket world was eager to see how the India skipper would fare in his latest outing in England. And Kohli went on to show that the last tour was just an one-off as he scored a brilliant 149 to bail India out of trouble. India were 100 for 5 and were looking set to concede a massive lead to the hosts.

However, Kohli held firm from one and waged a lone battle to help India score 274.

Despite wickets falling around him, Kohli didn’t lose focus and played a gem of an innings. He forged important partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane (41 runs for the fourth wicket) and Hardik Pandya (48 runs for the fifth wicket) and ensured India got as close to England’s first-innings total of 287. Kohli also enjoyed some luck as Dawid Malan dropped him twice.

He finally reached his hundred by steering a Ben Stokes delivery to the right of backward point to notch his maiden Test ton in English soil and 22nd overall. After that, he turned up the screw and scored 49 in quick time to take India close to England’s score before becoming the last Indian wicket to fall.

Since his century, Kohli has been garnering praise from all over and Harbhajan also joined the bandwagon. The spinner took to Twitter to hail Kohli, writing:

“WHAT A CHAMPION 100 ??? captain leading from the front.. much needed…absolutely brilliant @imVkohli welldone @ImIshant @y_umesh too ? “

WHAT A CHAMPION 100 ??? captain leading from the front.. much needed…absolutely brilliant @imVkohli welldone @ImIshant @y_umesh too ? #ENDvIND @BCCI pic.twitter.com/kNuDCbqqOx

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 2, 2018