7 defining Test innings by Indian batsmen that were not centuries 

#2 Virat Kohli – 54 and 41 (Johannesburg, 2018)

Kohli was the leading run-scorer of the series

India’s tour of South Africa (Test series) earlier this year was seen as India’s best chance to register their maiden series win in the Rainbow Nation. However, even after giving a tough fight, India lost the first two Tests and as a result, the series, once again.

When the third Test started, India were not only under pressure of being whitewashed for the first time in South Africa but the tag of ‘poor travellers’ was also there. Hence, when India won the toss and batted first on a green pitch, a lot of people were taken by surprise considering the movement the pacers were generating.

Like the first two Tests, India were once again in trouble as the openers failed and India were reduced to 13/2. However, skipper Virat Kohli, who scored a superb 153 in the previous Test, chose to lead from the front. He made 54 on a pitch that was doing a lot and even though he was dropped twice, the way he batted was simply superb. His 54 along with Pujara’s 50 ensured India didn’t collapse (India scored 187 in the first innings).

After managing to keep South Africa down to 194, India needed a decent score to defend in the fourth innings. Kohli once again walked in with India two-down for less than 15. This time Kohli came out fighting. On a pitch where balls were raring off a length, the Indian skipper decided to continue fighting even after the umpires had a lot of deliberations over the pitch. He might have scored only 41 in the second innings, but that innings would certainly be one of his best.

His 54 and 41 set up India’s famous win as they beat the Proteas by 63 runs. It was the only second win for India outside the subcontinent (barring West Indies) in 7 years.