India star becomes the sixth man to achieve 5000 runs as a Test skipper on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh
King Kohli reaches another milestone
India captain Virat Kohli’s extraordinary career took in another accolade on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata.
In reaching 59 not out at stumps in the day-night Test, Kohli became the quickest to reach 5000 runs as a skipper in Test matches, achieving the mark in 86 innings.
Australia legend Ricky Ponting took 97 innings to reach the milestone, while West Indies’ Clive Lloyd (106 innings), South Africa’s Graeme Smith (110), Australia’s Allan Border (116) and New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming (130) are others to have punched out more than 5000 runs as a Test captain.
Since taking over from MS Dhoni in 2014, Kohli has led India in 53 Tests and continues to cause myriad headaches for opposition bowling attacks.
He has 5027 runs as skipper at a superb average of 63.63, with 19 centuries.
From 83 matches and 140 innings at Test level, he has 7066 runs at 54.4, including 26 tons and 22 half-centuries.
Kohli is second on the ICC Test batting rankings on 912 points, 25 behind Australia star Steve Smith.
Kohli’s achievement came on a dominant day for the home side in front of a bumper 60,000 crowd at Eden Gardens, with India racing to 3-174 at stumps in response to Bangladesh’s first innings of 106.
Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (23 not out) will resume on day two after India’s pace attack excelled with the pink ball.
Ishant Sharma dismantled the tourists on his way to figures of 5-22 from 12 overs and was ably supported Umesh Yadav (3-29) and Mohammad Shami (2-36).
"I think the important thing is that we have a very healthy competition. It will only improve your performance," Ishant said.
"If there's no competition and if you are comfortable with what you are doing. I mean (if) you don't have someone to challenge your place, I don't think you can perform this well."
On an eventful day one, Bangladesh was forced to use two concussion substitutes, with Liton Das and Nayeem Hasan on the receiving end of blows to the helmet courtesy of Shami.
Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam were activated as substitutes.
India leads the two-match series 1-0 after powering to victory by an innings and 130 runs in the first Test.