Virat Kohli Shines with 29th Test Century as India Score 438 against West Indies
In his 500th international appearance, Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance by scoring his 76th hundred as India finished with a total of 438 runs before tea on the second day of the Second Test against West Indies in Port of Spain.
Resuming the day at 288 for 4, India added 85 runs in 24 overs during the morning session. Captain Rohit Sharma contributed 80 runs off 143 balls on the first day, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s half-century of 57 runs off 74 balls.
Kohli, who narrowly missed a century in the previous Test, played a polished innings of 121 runs off 206 balls, achieving his 29th hundred in the longest format of the game. He formed a strong partnership of 159 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a valuable 61 off 152 balls.
Both Kohli and Jadeja were dismissed in quick succession, with Kohli falling short of his crease while Jadeja was accounted for by Kemar Roach, who became West Indies’ top bowler with figures of 2/86 in 19 overs.
Kohli dominated the first session of the second day, showing no signs of trouble against the West Indies pacers. He scored 77 runs in singles, doubles, and triples, with 11 boundaries to his credit. His delight was evident as he raised his bat and took a bow upon reaching his century.
Notably, it was Kohli’s first Test century overseas in five years, having previously achieved the feat in Perth in 2018. The pitch at Queens Park Oval provided better conditions for strokeplay compared to the previous Test venue. Kohli’s game awareness and ability to take quick singles and doubles played a significant role in his innings, with 45 singles and 13 doubles contributing to his score.
Kohli found good support in Jadeja, who displayed his prowess as an all-rounder in overseas conditions. With this knock, Jadeja marked his 19th half-century. The absence of off-break bowler Rahkeem Cornwall eased the pressure on Kohli, allowing him to comfortably play shots on the off-side.
Overall, the Indian batting performance on the second day has put the team in a favorable position against West Indies. The upcoming sessions will determine how well India can capitalize on their strong foundation and put forth a challenging total for the hosts.
