Continuing with his demolition act, Indian skipper Virat Kohli today scripted history by becoming the first Indian to hit double tons in four consecutive Test series.
Taking the mantle after the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane, Kohli went on to hit his fourth double ton in the one-off Test match against visiting Bangladesh at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to achieve the feat.
In the process, Kohli broke many records and surpassed many cricketing greats. Kohli shattered the record for most runs by a batsman in a home Test season, surpassing former team-mate Virender Sehwag's mark of 1105 in 2004-05. Kolhi's 204 took his tally to 1168 in nine tests.
The 28-year-old batsman also became the first Indian to score double tons in four consecutive series. During India's 2-1 win against the West Indies last summer, he scored 200 in the first Test; against New Zealand at Indore, his 211 led India to a 3-0 sweep; and in the fourth Test of the 4-0 win over England, Kohli stroked his way to an epic 235.
Kohli's innings have helped him surpass Don Bradman and Rahul Dravid who had scored three double hundreds in three successive Test series.
The Indian skipper hit 24 boundaries to his credit in 239 balls to achieve the remarkable feat.
He was, however, sent to the pavilion (LBW) by Taijul Islam immediately after hitting the double century. He contributed 204 runs (246 balls) to India’s innings.
All his double centuries have come after June last year in four consecutive Test series. Kohli has now at least one Test hundred against each of the seven teams he has played against -- Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. He hasn’t played against Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
Kohli, who had hit three double centuries last year, also has the distinction of being the only Indian player to hit three double tons in a calendar year.
During India's 2-1 win the West Indies last summer, he scored 200 in the first Test; against New Zealand at Indore, his 211 helped complete a 3-0 sweep; then in the fourth Test of the 4-0 win over England, Kohli stroked his way to an epic 235.
During the course of today’s innings, the 28-year-old also broke the record for most runs by a batsman in a home Test season. He surpassed Virender Sehwag's mark of 1105 in 2004-05.
Earlier this morning, India smashed 121 runs in the opening session of the second day in 31 overs losing a single wicket. Ajinkya Rahane missed out on a century with young Mehedi Hasan Miraz taking a spectacular one-handed diving catch off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. He hit 11 boundaries in his innings.
Kohli started the day from where he had left off yesterday striking two thumping boundaries off Taskin Ahmed. The first was an uppish slash while the second rocketed down the ground.
The stand-out shot of the session came in Taskin's next over. A good full length delivery was just firmly pushed. It looked like an on drive where all that the skipper had done was to roll the wrists.
A couple of more boundaries off Taskin and a lofted boundary off Shakib Al Hasan brought about Kohli's 150.
Rahane, who had gained in confidence from yesterday's time at the crease, was more assertive today. His 50 came when he dispatched a full toss from Shakib to the cow corner. It was his 10th Test half century. The Mumbaikar then celebrated the mini landmark with some audacious cut shots playing close to his body. He could have been caught on 62 had Shabbir Rahaman held onto a tough chance at deep third man region.
Just when he was looking good for a hundred, it was Miraz who pulled off a spectacular catch after the batsman had played an inside out shot. But there was no stopping Kohli as he continued to hammer the Bangladeshi bowlers with a deluge of boundaries before a successful DRS appeal saved him.
On 180, he was adjudged leg before by the on-field umpire after a delivery from Miraz spun sharply hitting him low on the pads.
However, the skipper promptly opted for DRS consulting his partner Wriddhiman Saha and got a favourable decision. As if to celebrate the reprieve, he cover-drove Miraz and then played a delicate late cut off Taijul as he slowly reached 190's.
