Indian skipper Virat Kohli might still not be considered as the best Indian batsman in Test cricket in foreign conditions, but he is surely a gritty batsman for sure. Kohli’s ability to keep scoring at a brisk pace often allows him to get runs under his belt, even when he is not bossing the opposition bowling attack.

Kohli’s knock in the first innings of the Centurion Test against South Africa once again showed why he is such an effective batsman, if not the best among the Indians to have batted on seaming pitches outside the sub-continent.

Virat’s ton in the Centurion Test only has kept India in the match, it has once again shown why he is considered the best Indian batsman of the modern era. Despite wickets falling from the other end, Kohli kept his cool and reached the three-figure mark. This was Kohli’s 21st Test hundred and it was one that the Indian skipper would cherish for a long time, as he beat his idol Sachin Tendulkar to the mark.

Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar

The Delhi batsman is now the fourth fastest batsman to reach the 21-century mark in Test cricket, reaching the milestone in 109 innings. Sachin Tendulkar has now been dropped down to the fifth position, having taken 110 innings to reach the mark.

Australian skipper Steven Smith is the third quickest, having taken 105 innings to score 21 Test tons. Former Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar is second on the list, while the great Aussie Sir Don Bradman tops the list, having taken only 56 innings to reach the mark.

Virat levels Don Bradman’s record

Kohli joined Bradman (8) with most scores of more than 150 as captain. Bradman’s highest score as leader was 270 against England at Melbourne MCG in 1936-37 — the top-ranked innings as per Wisden in 2001. On the other hand, Kohli’s 243 against Sri Lanka remains his highest as the Indian skipper.