5 Times when Virat Kohli's tons for India were overshadowed by his own teammates

Virat Kohli, the Indian all-format captain, is third on the list of most centuries scored at the international level. A couple of more tons would help him overhaul Ricky Ponting’s tally of 71 tons at the highest level.

Though, the Delhi-born is quite a distance away from Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 centuries, he has already carved his name amongst the greats of Indian cricket, if not across the globe. Kohli is someone, who thrives under pressure and it’s evident from the way he constructs his innings in run-chases.

In 416 matches for India, he has 21,901 runs and is expected to take down a few more records in the future. Moreover, he has made own plenty of Player of the Match awards. But, there have been instances, when he didn’t quite hog the headlines owing to his own teammates.

In the article, let’s take a look at five times when Virat Kohli’s knocks didn’t bag the limelight: –

1. Pune ODI against England 2017, Kedar Jadhav’s 120

It was Virat Kohli’s maiden ODI series as the full-time skipper of Team India. In the very first match against England, he was in with a task of helping his team chase down 351. He didn’t flatter to deceive, scoring 122 off 105 with eight fours and five sixes. But it was Kedar Jadhav, who managed to steal the limelight.

He came to bat after the hosts lost four wickets with a mere 63 on the board. From there, he put on a 200-run stand with Virat to bail India out of jail in the run-chase. Even after Kohli got out with 88 runs needed, Jadhav carried on.

Kedar notched his century off 65 balls and went on to score 120 off 76 balls with 12 fours and four sixes. When he got out, the required rate was down to a run-a-ball in the last 10 overs. Jadhav eventually got the Player of the Match award.

2. Kolkata Test against Bangladesh 2019, Ishant Sharma’s 9/78

Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, last scored a Test century against Bangladesh in the historic pink-ball Test. The 31-year-old notched 136 with 18 fours and guided India to a massive first-innings lead of 241 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But, despite his efforts, it was Ishant Sharma, who was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Kohli’s knock didn’t go in vain as India won by an innings and 46 runs. Ishant became the first Indian bowler to get a wicket in a Day-Night Test when he dismissed opening batsman Imrul Kayes.

The lanky speedster wreaked havoc and picked up a five-wicket haul for only 22 runs. Even in the second innings, Ishant didn’t drop his guard. The speedster accounted for the Tigers’ top-order, consisting of Kayes, Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque. Then he came back to dismiss Mehidy Hasan.

3. Jaipur ODI against Australia 2013, Rohit Sharma’s 141

When a team is chasing a score in excess of 350, the match is expected to go down the wire if the team batting second puts up a fight. However, in October 2013 at Jaipur, India chased down 360 with a stunning 39 balls to spare. In that game, Virat scored a century off 52 balls, the fastest for India in ODIs.

But rather than Kohli, it was Rohit Sharma, who became the Player of the Match. Along with fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit set the tone for the huge run-chase. Even after Dhawan got out in the 90s, Rohit didn’t give up the ghost.

He put on an unbeaten stand of 186 runs with Virat to see India over the finishing line. The Nagpur-born got to his century off 102 balls and then upped the ante. The 32-year-old stayed unbeaten on 141 runs off 123 balls with 17 fours and four sixes.

4. North Sound Test against West Indies 2016, Ravi Ashwin’s 7/126 and 113

Back in July 2016, Virat notched his maiden Test double century against the West Indies at North Sound. On back of his 283-ball 200, India amassed 566 for eight in the first innings after which they won by an innings and 92 runs. However, the Player of the Match award went to Ravi Ashwin, who shone with both bat and ball.

To start with, he racked up a patient 113 off 253 balls with 12 fours. But he couldn’t make a breakthrough in 17 overs he bowled in the first innings. After the Caribbean team was made to follow on, the Tamil Nadu tweaker put forth his best efforts.

In 25 overs, Ashwin ran through the opposition batting, picking up seven wickets for 83 runs. Carlos Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo put on 95 for the ninth wicket, but couldn’t save their team from the humiliating innings defeat.

5. Kolkata ODI against Sri Lanka 2009, Gautam Gambhir’s 150*

It took Virat Kohli only 14 matches to rack up his maiden ODI century. He accomplished the milestone against Sri Lanka in 2009 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing 316, the Men in Blue found themselves in dire straits after being reduced to 23/2 in the fourth over.

But he along with Gautam Gambhir stitched together a 224-run stand and took India within touching distance of a triumph. Kohli scored 107 off 114 balls with 11 fours and a six. But the jury adjudged Gambhir as the Player of the Match.

The left-handed Gambhir stayed unbeaten on 150 off 137 balls, seeing his team right through. Thereafter, Gautam, who was the more established batter in Team India, came forward and shared his award with Virat. He reckoned the youngster’s contribution was immense in the win.