List: Virat Kohli’s Seven Double Hundreds in Test Cricket

The International cricket sensation Virat Kohli is one of the few players among thousands to have attained the title of a legend during his active years. Over the years in his career, Virat Kohli has carved his name in bold to be one of the best batsmen in the world with his exceptional talent and relentless pursuit of determination. 

In this article, we are going to delve into all seven innings of Virat Kohli’s double centuries in Test Cricket, along with the key moments that shattered the records. 

Virat Kohli has achieved countless milestones in his active career for the Indian cricket team across all formats of the sport. One of the special milestones of his illustrious career that makes him stand out is his double hundreds in Test Cricket. 

Virat Kohli’s double hundreds in test cricket stand as a testament to his brilliance. In his 110 Test Matches career, Virat Kohli has scored 8555 runs with 28 centuries and 7 Double Hundreds. Each of these innings showcased his remarkable skill as he dominated world-class lethal bowling attacks. 

Virat Kohli Double Hundred in Test

Virat Kohli double century in test: Overview

Virat Kohli 200 vs West Indies, 2016 

Virat Kohli scored his first double century in test cricket against West Indies in the first test match (21-24 July) of India’s tour of West Indies in 2016 at North Sound. The Indian cricket team chose to bat first and Virat Kohli saved the team’s score as the top batting order almost collapsed.

With a strike rate of 70.67, Virat Kohli joined the group of elite as he scored his first double century in test cricket. Having played 83 deliveries and smashing 24 boundaries, Virat Kohli scored exactly 200 runs for the first time in test cricket. Unfortunately, Virat couldn’t score any higher and got caught and bowled by Gabriel as the ball hit the bottom of his bat. 

The Indian cricket team later dismissed West Indies for a low score and India won the first match of the tour by 92 runs and an innings. The former all format captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli played magnificent innings that set the tone for his dominance in world cricket. 

Virat Kohli 211 vs New Zealand, 2016

Virat Kohli’s hunger to score runs and make his team win is not hidden from anyone in the world. This time he chose another opponent to score his second double century in test cricket. 

Virat Kohli scored his second double century in test cricket against New Zealand in the third test match (8-11 October) of New Zealand’s tour of India in 2016 at Indore. Virat Kohli’s double century came during his partnership with the team’s vice captain Ajinkya Rahane, who unfortunately missed a well-deserved double century by 12 runs. 

Virat Kohli dominated the New Zealand destructive bowling attack as he scored 211 runs against the team with a strike rate of 57.67 after playing 366 deliveries and scoring 20 boundaries. 

Virat Kohli 235 vs England, 2016

Virat Kohli scored his third consecutive double century in test cricket in 2016, which proved to be one of the best years in his cricket career. Virat Kohli’s 235 came against England in the fourth test match (8-12 December) of England’s tour of India in 2016 at The Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. 

The English cricket team batted first and got dismissed after scoring 400 runs. The English bowlers were not ready to witness Virat Kohli’s bat’s Iraq, as he solely scored half of the target. After playing 340 deliveries, Virat Kohli scored 235 runs with a strike rate of 69.11 as he smashed the wall across the park for 25 fours and a six. 

Virat Kohli’s monstrous innings helped India reach a total of 619 runs, which later resulted in their victory. Virat was caught by Anderson and bowled by Chris Woakes, the English cricket team, instead of celebrating, congratulated the Indian Skipper for his innings. 

Virat Kohli 204 vs Bangladesh, 2017 

Virat Kohli didn’t restrict his greatness of scoring double centuries in test cricket to only 2016. As soon as 2017 began, Bangladesh came to India for their tour. Virat Kohli played a brilliant knock in the team’s only test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. 

The Indian cricket team chose to bat first, and the top order of the team performed incredibly well. While taking the innings forward, the team’s captain Virat played a gigantic knock. Virat Kohli’s ability to seamlessly shift gears and maintain concentration led him to score 204 runs. 

Having played just 246 deliveries and scoring 24 fours, Virat Kohli scored another double century in test cricket, but this time at an astonishing strike rate of 82.92, which is extremely rare in test cricket. The Indian cricket team scored 687 runs and later won the match by 308 runs. 

Virat Kohli 213 vs Sri Lanka, 2017 

Virat Kohli gave Indian cricket fans One of the best endings to the year as he scored yet another double century in test cricket. Virat Kohli scored his fifth double century in test cricket against Sri Lanka in the second test match (24-27 November) of Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2017 at Nagpur.

The Chase Master, Virat Kohli, solely chased the low target set by the Sri Lankan cricket team (206). The Indian cricket team saw 3 centuries and a gigantic double century by Virat Kohli. 

Having played just 267 deliveries, Virat put 213 runs on the board while hitting 16 fours and 2 sixes Virat Kohli scored another double century in test cricket with a strike rate of 79.77. Virat Kohli’s double century led India to win the match by 239 runs and an innings. 

Virat Kohli 243 vs Sri Lanka, 2017 

Sri Lanka has been an interesting opponent for the Indian cricket team’s captains. The Indian team’s fans didn’t have to wait long for Virat Kohli’s 200, as in the next double century in just the next game against Sri Lanka in the 3rd Test match of the team’s tour at his home ground Delhi. 

Virat Kohli didn’t hesitate to thrash the Sri Lankan bowlers once again as he scored 243 runs in 287 deliveries with a strike rate of 84.66 as he scored 25 fours. Unfortunately, Virat Kohli missed his first 250 runs by just seven runs as he got lbw by Sandakan. 

Delhi’s crowd came in good numbers to support their local boy, King Kohli. This was the first occasion when the Indian cricket team didn’t win and drew the game, despite Virat Kohli’s double century in the test. 

With each double hundred in test cricket, Virat Kohli has made his mark stronger in the history of the sport, which has given him a solidified status of being the greatest test captain and batsman in the world.

Virat Kohli 254* vs South Africa, 2019

Virat Kohli scored his recent double century nearly 4 years ago against South Africa. Virat’s seventh double century in test cricket against South Africa in the 2nd test match (10-13 October) of South Africa’s tour of India during the ICC World Test Championship in 2019 at Pune.

The Indian cricket team chose to bat first, and Virat Kohli scored 250+ runs for the first time as he scored 254 runs off 336 deliveries with a strike rate of 75.59 as he hit 33 fours and two sixes. 

This game was also one of the only innings among all of Virat Kohli’s double centuries in tests where he ended the innings as not out. 

FAQ

Did you know? 

Who is first Indian captain to score a double century in test cricket?

Virat Kohli is the first Indian captain to score a double century in test cricket.

How many double hundred has Virat Kohli scored in a Calendar year?

Virat Kohli is the only batsman to have scored three double centuries in the calendar year twice, that too in two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). 

Who has scored most double centuries for India in tests?

Virat Kohli has shattered records as he stands on the top for scoring the most number of double centuries as an Indian batsman in test cricket. Overall, Virat Kohli stands in the fourth position in the list of the batsmen with the most double centuries in test cricket after Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakkara and Don Bradman.