5 spectacular fourth innings centuries that went in vain

#2 Virat Kohli 141: India vs Australia, 1st Test, Adelaide, 2014

Virat Kohli gave his all but couldn’t beat the Aussies

A deja vu moment for Indian fans! This time, it was not Sachin but Virat and it was not Chennai but Adelaide, and the opponents were the mighty Australians.

Played in the wake of Phil Hughes' sad demise, the 1st test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy turned to be an absolute cliff-hanger with the Aussies emerging victorious by 48 runs. It was Virat Kohli's first test as a skipper and he responded in style by getting a crucial hundred in the first innings but Australia had a decent lead. After scoring 290 in the second innings, the Aussies declared overnight setting India a target of 364.

At 57/2, Kohli and Murali Vijay built a fantastic partnership and Kohli, in particular, took the attack to the opposition. He was severe against Nathan Lyon, driving him against the turn and whipping him with equal control through mid wicket. His sure-footedness and control against the pace of Johnson and Ryan Harris were exemplary. He kept the scoreboard ticking and the steady partnership ensured that India didn’t lose a single wicket in the post-lunch session.

After tea, there was a collapse when Murali Vijay got out for 99. Wickets fell like nine pins and Nathan Lyon was the wrecker-in-chief. Kohli was running out of partners and in his bid to accelerate, he miscued a pull off Nathan Lyon and was caught by Mitchell Marsh at deep mid wicket. Nevertheless, this was probably the best Kohli ever batted and his score of 141 off just 175 balls on a weary 5th-day track showed how good the man is!