Virat Kohli scored 149 against England in the first innings at Edgbaston. (Source: Reuters) Virat Kohli scored 149 against England in the first innings at Edgbaston. (Source: Reuters) Virat Kohli had scored just 134 runs on the tour of England in 2014 with a miserable average of 13.40. On day two of the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the Indian skipper went past that collective total with just one inning to single-handedly keep India in the contest. The 149-run knock ensured India weren’t going to stand 100-or-more runs behind after the first innings but conceded a lead of just 13 runs. Kohli has long maintained that his 141 run knock against Australia at Adelaide in 2014 remains his best and most special to him. Even after scoring his first in England – with plenty of pressure – the skipper maintained his stance. “This knock could probably come in second to Adelaide. It still remains very special to me because it was the second innings and we were chasing a target. I had clarity that we are chasing a target and not once did I think that we’re not. It is a beautiful zone to be in and today I’m very happy and very grateful to have the opportunity to help the team this way and pull us back in the Test. We’re here to compete, we’re here to fight and we’re going to continue to do that,” he said at close of play to BCCI.TV. ALSO READ | Virat Kohli converts good day for him into great day for team, says Sanjay Bangar He further clarified that despite the pressure on him to perform in England, the preparations were strong with team’s benefit over and above personal accolade. “I try to prepare the best way possible that I can and help my team as much as possible. It wasn’t only about getting to the three figure mark but continue from there on. I was very disappointed when I got out as well because I thought we could have taken a 10-15 run lead.” “But in hindsight we wouldn’t have been able to bowl so just accept what god has blessed on me. I am very happy with my preparation and not worried about the world,” he said. England were 9/1 at stumps with Alastair Cook departing on the final ball of the day to R Ashwin. This means England are ahead by 22 runs after two days of play in Birmingham. WATCH: Anushka Sharma applauds Virat Kohli’s hundred at Edgbaston At one stage, it looked like India would have to fight off a massive deficit with top order failing and scoreboard reading 100/5. It was then that Kohli strung multiple partnerships to take the team to 274. “It was diffcult but I told myself that it is important to enjoy this. Take it upon me as a challenge to take the team far and take the innings deep. So it was a test of physical and mental strength. But I’m glad that we could come close to their total and we’re pretty much in the game. When you can help the team that way then it obviously feels great.” Virat Kohli scored his maiden ton in England at Edgbaston. (Source: Reuters) Virat Kohli scored his maiden ton in England at Edgbaston. (Source: Reuters) ALSO READ | Virat Kohli’s august moment in England “I have to commend the tail as well. Hardik batted really well after we lost five (wickets); the way Umesh (Yadav) and Ishant (Sharma) applied themselves. I think it was an oustanding effort from them also and I have to credit them for getting us this close because they got stuck in there and supported me out there,” he added further.<doc-sep>ALSO READ: 'Uncluttered' Virat Kohli ready for English summer BIRMINGHAM: When the immigration officer at the airport looks at your passport, then at you and then back at the document, only to quietly tell you, "it's going to be 3-0 in favour of England," you know you could be in for one long summer.If that's the expectation that's forming for the hosts, ponder for a moment what most here are believing India will offer in this Test series.One of the most crucial cricket series in recent years for Virat Kohli 's men, the contest starts with the Birmingham Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday. Much has been said and written since the Kohli-Ravi Shastri duo took over reins of the Indian team a season or two ago, shaping its philosophy and traversing that well-publicized path. Somewhere in all that talk, England has always figured as the final frontier.That's because there's a backstory to it, and not a particularly pleasant one at that.The last two drubbings India faced in England are not distant memory, and cannot be wished away. In 2011, coming in as ODI world champions, MS Dhoni's team was humbled 0-4. Three years later, things proved not much different, when despite a promising start to the series, India allowed the demons to creep in as England romped to a 3-1 series win after going down in the second Test at Lord's.There was a lot of hype too around India's chances before the tour to South Africa commenced last winter. The result was another series loss away. Of course, it was glossed over because of a win in the inconsequential third Test, but the truth remained that India lost fair and square to the Proteas. If India are to make a change to their dismal away record against meaningful teams, the process must start at Edgbaston.And there could be a glimmer of hope after a look at the pitch that is on offer. It hasn't rained much in the last couple of months and everyone worth his bowler and brolly here insists that it's been a dry summer by English standards.The track bears the same traits and one thing noticeable is that there's not much grass on it, leading you to believe that there's no reason that James Anderson and Stuart Broad are going to be unplayable.England have spelt out their plans. In addition to the other two pacers - Sam Curran and Ben Stokes, controversial call up Adil Rashid is going to be the lone spinner ahead of Moeen Ali. "I have known Adil for a long time, since my early Yorkshire days and have a lot of faith in his abilities," England captain Joe Root said on Tuesday.England may not appear overly worried about the Indian attack, but there seems to be some concern about countering left-arm wrist spin. They a chinaman bowler, Akhil Patel in their nets preparing them for Kuldeep Yadav, but the Indian management is not ready to let out whether they are going to unleash the chinaman on the English. "We will see what five people have to offer and then take a call on the final XI," Kohli said in response to the obvious question, keeping a sense of mystery around his spinner.However, local experts feel India would be better off going in with at least three specialist pacers, an offie in Ashwin and Hardik Pandya as fifth back-up. "The white ball skids a bit after pitching and that's why it becomes a little more difficult to play Kuldeep. The red ball will skid less and Kuldeep is slow through the air, so it's better India stick to R Ashwin if they are going with one spinner," Hassam Mushtaq, a local Pakistani leggie who bowled to both the Indian and English batsmen at the Edgbaston nets, told TOI.The two pacers who are certain to play are Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma and it would be interesting to see if Mohammad Shami gets the nod ahead of the second spinner.The batting looks more assured with KL Rahul and M Vijay likely to open. In 2014, the middle-order of Cheteshwar Pujara , Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane had a difficult time, but Kohli insists they are "better prepared this time around". "We have been here long enough. The preparations have been good and that's the most important thing. It doesn't bother us whether we are called underdogs or favourites," Kohli said, exuding a quiet confidence.Starting Wednesday, it's for the team to translate that confidence into performance. Else it could all lapse into familiar sounding noise, as in the not-so-distant past.<doc-sep>ALSO READ: Kohli Celebrating the Run Out of Joe Root ... 😂😂😂 https://t.co/g7Alqo4W72 — Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) 1533138606000 ALSO READ: BIRMINGHAM: Virat Kohli 's animated send off to his counterpart Joe Root 's dismissal added a dash of drama to the proceedings on the opening day of the first Test between India and England, on Wednesday.It was Kohli's send-off to Root that caught attention.Root was looking set to get a big one but a brilliant piece of fielding from Kohli saw the right-hander getting run-out for 80.Root tried to steal a second run off Ravichandran Ashwin but Kohli ran quickly, picked up the ball and threw it in one swift motion to knock down the stumps with a direct hit.Kohli celebrated the dismissal with a 'mic-drop' send-off, something Root had done after guiding England to a 2-1 ODI series win against India last month.<doc-sep>India are set for five-match Test series against England with the opening Test starting on Wednesday at the Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham. Team India captain Virat Kohli's fans posted pictures of the skipper with wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a shopping mall, a day ahead of the first Test match. Indian skipper was seen wearing blue hoodie and shorts. He was seen standing behind Anushka at the cash counter. Out for Shopping ?? A post shared by Virat Kohli (@viratkohli.club) on Jul 30, 2018 at 11:12pm PDT Virat Kohli was the part of Indian team which toured England in 2014. The team was led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2014. The Indian side lost the five-match Test series 3-1. Kohli, who has astonishing overseas records against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, played all the five matches in 2014 but managed just 134 runs. Promoted He averaged just 13.40 in the series. There were two occasions when the Indian skipper failed to open his account and departed for ducks. England will play their 1,000th Test match when they face India at Edgbaston. Their overall Test record currently reads, played 999, won 357, lost 297, drawn 345.<doc-sep>
Team India captain Virat Kohli is on the verge of achieving yet another milestone, ahead of the opening Test of the five-match series against England starting on Wednesday at the Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham. Virat Kohli is set to become 13th Indian cricketer to score 1000 runs against England. The Indian skipper has 977 runs to his name at an average of 44.40 against England and he is just 23 runs short of achieving this feat. India batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 2535 runs against England. He scored seven centuries and 13 half-centuries at an average of 51.73. Apart from Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar (2483), Rahul Dravid (1950), Gundappa Viswanath (1880), Dilip Vengsarkar (1589), Kapil Dev (1355), Mohammad Azharuddin (1278), Vijay Manjrekar (1181), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (1157), Farokh Engineer (1113), Cheteshwar Pujara (1061) and Ravi Shastri (1026) are the Indian batsman who have scored 1000-plus runs against England. In total, Kohli has played 14 matches against England - 9 home and 5 away matches. Kohli's performance is pretty impressive at home. In 9 matches at home, Kohli has scored 843 runs at an average of 70.25, including 3 centuries and 2 half-centuries. He has two Man of the Match and one Man of the Series awards to his name. Kohli, who is leading India for the first time in a bilateral series against England in England, hasn't been that impressive while playing on English soil. The last time India toured England was in 2014 under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kohli played all the five matches in 2014 but managed just 134 runs in the series at an average of 13.40. There were two occasions when Kohli departed on ducks. The Indian side lost the five-match Test series 3-1 after the first match ended in a draw. Apart from England, Kohli has magnificent away records against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The Indian captain has played eight away matches against Australia and scored 992 runs at an average of 62.00. He has five centuries to his name on Australian soil. Promoted Kohli has played five matches on South African soil, scoring 558 runs at an average of 55.80, including two centuries. In two matches he has played against New Zealand in New Zealand, Kohli has managed 214 runs at an average of 71.33, including one century.