King Kohli floors 'clueless' England

Virat Kohli underlined his status as a modern batting great with a magnificent unbeaten century that turned the tables on England in the fourth Test in Mumbai and put India on course for a series win.

There have been several memorable events at the Wankhede stadium in the past five years, notably Mahendra Singh Dhoni's World Cup-winning six in 2011, Kevin Pietersen's brilliant 186 on a vicious turner in 2012 and Sachin Tendulkar's tearful farewell on his home ground a year later.

Kohli's 147 not out which steered India out of trouble and put them ahead on the third day of this gripping Test match will also be remembered for long by some 20,000 boisterous home fans at the stadium and millions of TV viewers around the world.

Report, Highlights: Kohli, Vijay put India on top

The India captain, determined to build on the 2-0 lead his team enjoys in the five-Test series, walked in to face the third ball of the day with India a fair distance away from matching England's first innings total of 400.

By the time stumps were called, Kohli had England on their knees with a 15th Test century that has already put his team 51 runs ahead with three wickets in hand on a pitch where spinners have claimed 16 of the 17 wickets to fall so far.

Former England captain Mike Atherton was convinced England did not know how to contain Kohli's run-making.

"They don't have a clue how to get him out," said Atherton. "They have no plans for him and this innings shows the measure of his dominance."

Another ex-skipper Michael Vaughan also accepted that England were helpless.

"Sometimes you have to accept that you come up against someone too good. That was the case today for England," Vaughan tweeted.

"Special player...Virat Kohli is a genius."

Joe Root conceded England had blundered with their selections for this Test. Having played a spinner when it seemed in Mohali, they played an extra seamer here where it started to turn on day one, earlier than any other so far in this series.

"Leading into the game, we thought there might be a bit more in it for the seamers – but it's not quite worked out that way so far," said Root, the England vice-captain.

Quick Single: Electric Mumbai sparks India's passion

"In hindsight, I think we would have liked to play an extra spinner. But it would be silly to think about things that are out of our hands now – we've just got to make the best of what we've got."

With the wicket expected to deteriorate further on the last two days, England may well find the Test and the series beyond their reach.

"Any lead is gold on this wicket," said Murali Vijay, who hit 136 and shared a third-wicket stand of 116 with Kohli after Cheteshwar Pujara had been bowled by Jake Ball off the second ball of the morning.

Image Id: FAB7C448F3E845D68DF997B271D0CD0A Image Caption: Kohli salutes the Wankhede crowd on his century // Sportzpics

Vijay said that during the tea break when India were 6-348, still 52 runs behind, the team's plan was to get as close to the England total as possible.

But number nine Jayant Yadav once more showed cricketing maturity not always associated with someone playing only his third Test, as he helped Kohli add 87 valuable runs for the eighth wicket.

"The way Virat and Jayant are batting, we are in a very good position," said Vijay. "

"There is a lot of turn and bounce in this wicket which will make our spinners very difficult to face."

In England's first innings all 10 wickets fell to spinners with Ravichandran Ashwin taking six and Ravindra Jadeja four. They could be unplayable the second time around.

As Kohli surpassed 500 runs in the series, the tourists were left to rue a missed return catch by Adil Rashid, who failed to pounce on the ball with his outstretched left hand when the batsman was on 68.

Vijay would not commit when asked if Kohli had reached his peak as a batsman – the India captain now averages more than 50 in all three formats.

"I can't say if he is batting at his best because each day he seems to be improving," said Vijay. "All I can say he is batting like a master which is benefiting the team.

"Hopefully he can continue like this for as long as possible."

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.