Top 5 Test performances by Virat Kohli

Though Virat Kohli is considered by some to be the greatest of all time in ODIs, it took him a lot of time to set the stage on fire in Test match cricket. The upward climb began in his first Test as captain, where he amassed two tons. From there on, he has been creating many records in Tests too.

We have always known about Kohli's love for Test cricket; he has expressed that many times openly. And although he took a bit of time to settle in, he has already played many memorable knocks in his favorite format.

A few of those stand out because of the specific match situations and the intensity with which he batted. As Kohli celebrates his 30th birthday on Monday (November 5), let us take a look at some of his very best knocks in Test cricket.

#5 153 vs South Africa at Centurion in 2018

After a successful long home season, India started their overseas season with the South Africa series in 2018. They lost the first Test at Cape Town, and were struggling to counter the Proteas' bowling firepower.

In the second Test too, they were trailing behind in the first innings with none of the batsmen crossing 50. But Kohli stood like a lighthouse and scored a magnificent 153 with the help of the tailenders.

A feeble chase in the fourth innings ensured that Kohli's masterclass would remain just one of his personal best.

Under pressure, Kohli scored a magnificent 100

#4 167 & 81 vs England at Visakhapatnam in 2016

Kohli's 167 ensured India took control of the Test and the series

During India's long home run in 2016, their first draw came in the first Test against England at Rajkot. But in the second Test at Vizag, Kohli's 167 blew the English bowlers away.

Even in the second innings he essayed a power-packed knock of 81 runs to put the match beyond the reach of the visitors.

After this loss, England were unable to make a comeback in the series and lost 4-0. Kohli continued with his scintillating series by scoring another 235 at Mumbai.

#3 119 & 96 vs South Africa at Johannesburg, 2013

After Sachin Tendulkar's retirement in 2013, India took on the tough test of touring South Africa. That was when Kohli first took on the responsibility of batting at the No. 4 position in Tests.

In his very first innings at No. 4, on a quick Day 1 Johannesburg wicket, he scored a stroke-filled 119 against the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Even in the second innings, he hit a delightful 96 to permanently grab the No. 4 spot in the Indian Test team.

Kohli delivered in his first Test at the No. 4 position

#2 149 vs England at Edgbaston, 2018

We all knew about Virat Kohli's disastrous 2014 England tour. Though he had scored tons of runs all around the world, many criticized his abysmal record in the UK.

He answered them all in his very first innings of the 2018 tour with a superhuman knock of 149. When his team was under immense pressure, Kohli fought back single-handedly with the tail.

Though India lost the match, that 149 is widely considered one of his best ever innings.

Kohli banished the ghosts of 2014 with his 149 in 2018

#1 115 & 141 vs Australia at Adelaide in 2014

In 2014 Kohli became the first player to score 2 centuries on captaincy debut

MS Dhoni missed the first Test of the 2014 Australia tour due to slow-over rate issues in previous matches, and Kohli was handed the captaincy duties. In his very first match as Test captain, on one of the toughest tours for any away team, he scored two back to back hundreds.

Though Kohli was unable to take his side to victory, his level of maturity and match awareness made these two centuries his best in Test cricket. He went on to score two more tons in that series, marking the start of the Kohli Era in Tests.