‘Masterclass’: Sachin, Laxman Laud Virat Kohli’s Ton vs England

Virat Kohli took on England single-handedly to notch a sublime hundred and guide India to 274. The visiting side still trailed by 13 runs at the end of the first innings on the second day of the first Test in Birmingham on Thursday.

Replying to England's 287, Kohli – dropped twice – amassed 149, his innings laced with 22 fours and and a six as none of the other visiting batsmen reached the 30-run mark.

For the hosts, Sam Curran returned with career best figures of 4/74 while pace spearhead James Anderson (2/41), Adil Rashid (2/31) and Ben Stokes (2/73) scalped the rest of the wickets.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to Virat Kohli’s first Test century in England.

A very important knock by @ImVkohli. Lovely way to set up the Test series. Congrats on your Test hundred. #ENGvIND

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 2, 2018

A masterclass from Virat Kohli, leading from the front. A display of tremendous character determination and grit #ENGIND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 2, 2018

Fantastic delivery from Ashwin to get rid of Cook. Almost a replay of the first innings. But today belonged to one man, Virat Kohli. #ENGvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 2, 2018

A wicket off the last ball, just what India wanted!

They have their noses in front after one of the all-time great innings from Virat Kohli, who singlehandedly dragged India to within 13 runs of England’s first innings.

What a Test match!#ENGvIND SCOREhttps://t.co/jre8L0pd2t pic.twitter.com/DEHXl6waIB

— ICC (@ICC) August 2, 2018

Test captains missing 150 by one run:
Bob Wyatt (ENG) 1935
Clive Lloyd (WI) 1975
Saeed Anwar (PAK) 1996
Carl Hooper (WI) 2001
Ricky Ponting (AUS) 2005
Virat Kohli (IND) 2018#ENGvIND#INDvsENG

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 2, 2018

🎥 | @AnushkaSharma proudly cheering for @imVkohli after he scored 149 against England in the 1st Test 💕#Virushka pic.twitter.com/7GOXhzDh5i

— Anushka Sharma FC™ (@AnushkaSFanCIub) August 2, 2018

I wonder where @imVkohli will be ranked amongst the Pantheon of great Indian Test match batsmen 🏏🔥 Truly phenomenal relentless drive, skill and passion whilst representing India 🇮🇳 #pureclass

— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) August 2, 2018

Highest scores for India:
Virat Kohli - 149 (225)
Shikhar Dhawan - 26 (46)
This speaks volume about Indian batting line up which is centralised.#ENGvIND

— Jaanvi 🏏 (@ThatCricketBuff) August 2, 2018

England Conquered !

In 2014
Runs : 134
Balls: 288
Innings: 10
Average: 13.4

In 2018
Runs : 149
Balls: 225
Innings: 1
Average: 149

That's VIRAT KOHLI for you.
Hats off to the Greatest Batsman of this Generation.#ENGvIND #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/oiXbY2mE75

— Anupam 🏏 (@Anupam183) August 2, 2018

Virat Kohli scored 54.37% of the total runs for India today- no Indian captain has scored a higher % of runs in an 100+ innings away from home. Kohli also holds the 2nd spot for his 153 at Centurion earlier this year where he scored 49.83% of the total runs. #ENGvIND #KingKohli

— Soham Sarkhel (@RightArmRubbish) August 2, 2018

Been a privilege to have seen this innings from Virat Kohli.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 2, 2018

First Century. First of Many. Well played, Virat Kohli. Best batsman on the planet. #EngvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 2, 2018

That’s an incredible knock @imVkohli !!! 1 man battle against the moving ball ..... #ENGvIND

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 2, 2018

Under the circumstances, one of @imVkohli’s greatest centuries. What a player, what a fighter. #ENGvIND

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 2, 2018

(With inputs from IANS)

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