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India stare at a heavy defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match bilateral series between the two teams at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 19.
After being bowled out for a paltry 46 in their first dig and conceding a heavy lead of 356 runs, India stood up in the second innings and scored 462 runs before being all out. At the close of play, NZ were 0-0 while chasing 107 runs to win.
A century from Sarfaraz Khan (150) and half-centuries from Rishabh Pant (99), Rohit Sharma (52), and Virat Kohli (70) helped India post a respectable total on board. The latter stood up for his country when they needed him the most.
It has often occurred to the general Indian fan that Kohli has come good whenever he has seen his back stacked to the wall and his nation has screamed out for help. The same was the case in the first Test in Bengaluru.
In this listicle, we take a look at the five best 70s Kohli has scored in Tests.
#1 75 vs Australia, 2012
One of the most notable half-centuries by Kohli came against Australia at WACA in Perth in 2012 when he was relatively new in his Test career. Facing a heavy trail in the second innings, Kohli top-scored for the Indians with a 136-ball 75. His willingness to bide his time and play shots when needed was eye-catching.
However, his knock was not enough to prevent India from going down to a massive innings defeat to the hosts, who had to bat just once in the match. India's poor returns of 161 and 171 in the two innings were a sharp contrast to the hosts' 369 which featured a swashbuckling 180 from a certain David Warner.
#2 78 vs Sri Lanka, 2015
Kohli scored a fine 78 against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval in Colombo in the second Test of India's tour of the island nation in 2015. The then India captain was at his best playing against the Lankan spinners on his terms and got out after having scored his runs at a rate of 72, which is extremely impressive in Test cricket.
A solid 108 from KL Rahul also helped India's cause as they put up 393 in the first innings. However, SL were bowled out for 306 in their reply, with India then adding salt to their wounds by scoring 325-8 declared.
Set a daunting target of 413, the hosts crumbled to get all out for 134, thanks to Ravichandran Ashwin's 5-42.
#3 76 vs West Indies, 2019
A 76 that Kohli scored for India against the West Indies in the second Test at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica helped the visitors pick up a special win. Kohli's knock came off 163 balls in the first innings wherein India piled up the misery on the hosts by amassing 416 runs. Hanuma Vihari top scored with 111.
A Jasprit Bumrah masterclass (6-27) blew the Windies away for 117, leading India to respond with 168-4 declared. Although Kohli got out for a duck, Vihari scored an unbeaten 53 in the second innings.
Set a steep target of 468, the West Indies were skittled away for 210 runs, handing India a famous victory under Kohli's captaincy.
#4 79 vs South Africa, 2022
In the third Test of the series against South Africa in Cape Town in 2021-22, Kohli hit a stellar 79 in the first innings to help prop India's total to 223. However, he received little support from the other batters in the side even as Kagiso Rabada ran through with a veritable storm of his own.
SA conceded a narrow 13-run lead to the visitors, but the latter faltered in the second innings to get bowled out for a mere 198. Set a moderate total of 212 to chase, the hosts did so comfortably with Keegan Petersen top-scoring with 82. Kohli's resilient effort in the first innings went in vain.
#5 70 vs New Zealand, 2024
Perhaps the most face-saving of these knocks from Kohli came against New Zealand in the ongoing Bengaluru Test in 2024. India had been bowled out for 46 in the first innings and conceded a massive 356-run lead to their opponents.
That is when Kohli decided to rise to the occasion and along with Rohit Sharma and Sarfaraz Khan, built decisive partnerships that gave India stability. His expertise against the left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel left many in awe.
A few cover drives Kohli played in this knock were dreamlike, and his knock gave India fans hope of a resurrection in the Test. However, it was cut short on the last ball of Day 3 when he got out caught behind off part-time spinner Glenn Phillips.
