Virat Kohli Makes A Strong Start In New WTC Cycle With Gritty Half-Century In West Indies Vs India 1st Test

Kohli took 147 balls to get to his half-century in the first session on Day 3 at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Virat Kohli in action. ( Image Source :Twitter/@BCCI )

Former India skipper Virat Kohli started the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle with a gutsy fifty in the ongoing first Test of a 2-match series against the West Indies. Kohli took 147 balls to get to his half-century in the first session on Day 3 at Windsor Park in Dominica. The Delhi-based batter registered his 29th Test fifty, playing a fighting knock on a slow pitch.  After India lost two quick wickets in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who departed after well made 171, followed by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane who fell for 3, Kohli then batted with a lot of composure and reached the feat.

It was at number 4 where Kohli stepped out to bat on Day 2 after the dismissal of skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. He then partnered with Jaiswal who smashed a century on his Test debut. Virat then started playing a gritty knock and also played spoilsport to West Indies' plans. The former India batter alongside Jaiswal returned unbeaten at stumps and helped India extend their lead to 160 after having bowled West Indies out for 150.

FIFTY for @imVkohli - his 2⃣9⃣th in Test cricket 👏 👏#TeamIndia move past 350 💪 💪

Follow the match ▶️https://t.co/FWI05P4Bnd#WIvIND pic.twitter.com/LOkMZofZeY

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 14, 2023

Jaiswal on the other hand reached 150 in the morning session on Friday, playing free-flowing shots all around the park while Kohli gave the youngster support from the other end. Earlier, Virat ended as India's top run-getter in the 2021-23 cycle with a total of 932 runs from 17 matches. He even looked good in the second innings of the  World Test Championship final against Australia but was unable to convert it into a big score in the summit clash in June.

India’s run machine had a great last IPL too where he collected 639 runs with an average of 53.25 and a strike rate above 139. He smashed 2 hundreds, both of them coming at a crucial situation for Royal Challengers Bangalore who failed to qualify for the playoffs.