Virat Kohli didn’t have a double century in the first five years of his Test career in International cricket. He has recorded up to seven double centuries in the previous five years, six at home ground and one overseas.
The number of most double centuries as a team captain set this global record. The 7 double centuries of Virat Kohli came in four years while serving as Indian captain. Kohli overtook Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, who had six double centuries to their records.
Moreover, Virat Kohli is the first Indian cricketer to score seven double centuries. Kohli’s record of most double centuries as a captain beat the record of Brian Lara, who had five double tons.
Here is a list of the Virat Kohli double centuries in test matches. Let’s check them out.
200 Vs. West Indies in 2016
In the first Test cricket of a four-match series played away from home in Antigua in July 2016, Virat Kohli scored his maiden Test double tons against the West Indies. Also, this was the first time an Indian skipper had achieved double centuries while playing abroad.
India chose to bat first after winning the toss. During lunch, in the 28th over, Kohli entered the game as Cheteshwar Pujara became the second wicket to go. After that, Virat Kohli partnered for 100 runs with Shikhar Dhawan before teaming up for 50 runs with Ajinkya Rahane. During the tea break, Kohli played 134 balls to get his century.
During lunch, Kohli, who started Day 2 at 143, hit his first double hundreds in 284 balls and 24 fours. On 200, Gabriel dismissed him. India won the Test cricket by 92 runs after they declared their first innings on 566.
211 Vs. New Zealand in 2016
In October 2016, during the third Test in a three-match series against New Zealand, Kohli notched his second double hundreds at Indore.
Beginning Day 2 on 103, Virat Kohli kept going, scoring 150 runs off 273 balls before finishing the afternoon session with 200 runs off 347 balls. This meticulous innings, which required 366 balls, occurred while playing against New Zealand in Indore.
With Kohli in charge, India could declare on 557/5 thanks to a 365-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane. In the end, New Zealand lost by a score of 321.
Also Read: Joe Root Test Runs Year by Year
235 Vs. England in 2016
In the fourth Test against England in December 2016 in Mumbai, Kohli scored his third double century. India comfortably started their batting after bowling England out for 400.
In the fourth Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Kohli scored 235 from 340 balls, with 25 fours and one six, to clinch his third Test double hundred.
With Kohli’s assistance, India recorded the highest score of 631, which enabled them to win by an inning and 195 runs.
204 Vs. Bangladesh in 2017
Virat Kohli’s score of 204 against Bangladesh in a single Test in Hyderabad in February 2017 ended up being a record-breaking double century. He holds the record for scoring four double centuries in four separate Test series.
Virat Kohli shattered the record of Rahul Dravid and Sir Don Bradman, who had three double centuries in three consecutive series. The match’s Man of the Match award went to Kohli.
213 Vs. Sri Lanka in 2017
Kohli’s next 200-plus score thrilled his followers. It happened against Sri Lanka in Nagpur, his second double century of the year. The innings consisted of 259 balls and 15 fours, and two sixes, the second Test in a three-match series.
On Day 2, Kohli entered the field with 216 already recorded. On Day 3, he reached his century in the first session, and then he made a double century off just 259 balls with 15 fours and two sixes.
India won the Test matches by an inning and 239 runs after declaring with 610 for 6. Once more, Kohli received the Man of the Match award.
243 Vs. Sri Lanka in 2017
Virat Kohli scored his sixth double century, his most incredible individual score against Sri Lanka in 2017. This occurred during the very next test match in the same series while the teams lined up in Delhi.
When Kohli arrived on the field on Day 1, he had already amassed 243 runs off only 287 pitches, including 25 fours. He was LBW by Sandakan. India quickly announced the innings.
However, Sri Lanka performed well to tie the Test match ultimately. India lost a Test match for the first time following Kohli’s double ton. Despite this, he received the Man of the Match award.
254 Vs. South Africa in 2019
For approximately two years, Kohli was unable to score any century. Finally, in the second Test of a three-match Test series in Pune in October 2019, he scored his seventh double century against South Africa.
Kohli began his inning by batting first, scoring 163 runs. As soon as India declared on 601 for 5, Kohli, still unbeaten at 254, recorded his first 250 in Test cricket. India won the Test by an inning and 137 runs without having to bat again in that game.
The match’s Man of the Match award went to Kohli.
Virat Kohli’s Double Centuries in Test Cricket
Runs | Balls | Dismissal | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
200 | 283 | bowled | vs West Indies | North Sound | 21-Jul-16 |
211 | 366 | lbw | vs New Zealand | Indore | 08-Oct-16 |
235 | 340 | caught | vs England | Wankhede | 08-Dec-16 |
204 | 246 | lbw | vs Bangladesh | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 09-Feb-17 |
213 | 267 | caught | vs Sri Lanka | Nagpur | 24-Nov-17 |
243 | 287 | lbw | vs Sri Lanka | Delhi | 02-Dec-17 |
254* | 336 | not out | vs South Africa | Pune | 10-Oct-19 |
Virat Kohli is renowned for his powerful and reliable batting approach. He holds a variety of achievements, including the ability to score double centuries during Test matches.
Kohli’s test double centuries have been as crucial to India’s success. His performances have assisted India’s triumphs and ties in essential games, reinforcing his place among the top batters in the world.
Virat Kohli is a crucial Indian player for the cricket team because of his reliability and capacity to produce large runs and double centuries in crisis.
Brian Lara has nine double centuries, and Kumar Sangakkara and Don Bradman, each with eleven and twelve double tons, are ahead of Kohli. Cricket lovers would love to see their favorite cricketer score more runs and break more records in the future.