Kohli drives India to ‘golden’ lead over England

By our correspondents

December 11, 2016

MUMBAI: Captain Virat Kohli smashed a sensational unbeaten 147 to propel India into the lead on the third day of the fourth Test against England in Mumbai on Saturday.

The Indian skipper, who has enjoyed a remarkable and record-breaking year, hit 17 fours as India reached 451-7 in their first innings at stumps.

Kohli crossed 1,000 Test runs for the year and 4,000 for his career during his 241-ball knock to ensure India take a 51-run lead with three wickets remaining into day four.

The 28-year-old entered the fray early in the morning session after Cheteshwar Pujara (47) was bowled out by Jake Ball on just the second ball of the day at the Wankhede Stadium.

Kohli, who has hit two double centuries in 2016, held fort at one end, crossing the century mark mid-way through the final session.

It marked the Indian captain’s second century of the series after his stunning 167 in the second Test at Visakhapatnam.

Kohli’s unbeaten century came after Indian opener Murali Vijay smashed 10 fours and three sixes on his way to a magnificent 136 after starting the morning on 70.

Vijay was sent packing shortly after lunch when spinner Adil Rashid caught and bowled the right-handed batsman.

“It’s very hard to bowl against guys when they’re in that sort of form. They deserved the scores they got,” said England’s Joe Root, who grabbed two wickets.

“The most important thing is we look forward to tomorrow and we take those three early wickets when we get the opportunity.

“Then when it comes to batting we look to put pressure back on them. If we can do that well then we have a really good game on our hands,” added Root.

Kohli excelled at the crease with some exquisite shotmaking as the wickets of Parthiv Patel (15) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0) fell to Root.

Rashid grabbed his second wicket of the day when Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed for 25 but Jayant Yadav stood firm and was batting on 30 with Kohli when stumps were called.

“Any lead is gold on this wicket,” Vijay told reporters.

“During tea-time we just thought get close to their target but now the way Virat and Yadav are batting I think we’re in a pretty good position.”

England won toss

England 1st innings 400 all-out (K Jennings 112, J Buttler 76; R Ashwin 6-112)

India 1st innings

K L Rahul b Ali 24

M Vijay c & b Rashid 136

C A Pujara b Ball 47

*V Kohli not out 147

K K Nair lbw b Ali 13

†P A Patel c Bairstow b Root 15

R Ashwin c Jennings b Root 0