NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli is poised to move past the disappointment of the World Cup final loss and begin a new phase as he prepares to step onto the field at SuperSport Park in Centurion. India are scheduled to face South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series, starting December 26 (Boxing Day Test).
Virat's World Cup performance was stellar as he signed off the tournament as highest run-scorer with an impressive tally of 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62. He scored three centuries and six fifties in the competition.
During the World Cup, Virat not only showcased his prowess but also eclipsed his childhood idol Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most ODI centuries.
1/10:India aim to end South Africa Test series jinx
PTI
2/10:Final frontier
<p>India will seek to breach the 'final frontier' for their Test team when they begin a two-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.</p>PTI
3/10:Elusive win
<p>South Africa is the only regular Test-playing country where India are yet to win a series.</p>PTI
4/10:Virat Kohli
<p>Virat Kohli led a strong Indian team in 2021/22, with high expectations after successful tours of Australia and England. </p>PTI
5/10:Centurion
<p>India won the first Test at Centurion but South Africa succeeded in two hard-fought fourth innings chases in the remaining matches to clinch the series.</p>PTI
6/10:The TV review
<p>Virat Kohli's frustration boiled over when a television review at a crucial moment in the decisive match went in favour of then-captain Dean Elgar. </p>PTI
7/10:Test captaincy
<p>Virat Kohli had resigned as Test captain the day after the match.</p>PTI
8/10:Dean Elgar
<p>Dean Elgar, who will retire from international cricket after the second Test in Cape Town, was axed as captain after a shake-up of the Test side earlier this year. </p>Getty Images
9/10:Batting question marks
<p>India have question marks over their batting, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane no longer in their plans. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Jasprit Bumrah
<p>India will be without fast bowler Mohammed Shami because of injury but Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will still spearhead a potent attack.</p>PTIIn the semifinal against New Zealand, he notched up his 50th ODI century, surpassing Tendulkar's milestone in a memorable moment at the jam-packed Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
As Virat prepares for the challenges of red-ball cricket in South Africa, another record beckons the Indian batting maestro.
Virat has played 14 Tests in South Africa and scored 1236 runs at an average of 56.18. He is currently the fourth-highest Test run getter for India against South Africa.
1/10:Top ODI knocks of Virat Kohli in 2023
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2/10:RUN MACHINE
<p>Virat Kohli smashed six centuries in the year 2023. His first century of the year came against Sri Lanka in Guwahati when he scored 113 runs off 87 balls. India went on to win the match by 67 runs.<br /></p>Agencies
3/10:BIG KNOCK
<p>In the same series vs Sri Lanka, Virat hammered a 166 not out off 110 balls to hand India a massive 317 runs win in Thiruvananthapuram. Virat's whirlwind knock was studded with 13 fours and 8 sixes. <br /></p>Agencies
4/10:DOMINANCE
<p>During the Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2023 vs Pakistan, Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 122 off 94 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes, and powered India to a mammoth 356/2. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for just 128. India won the match by 228 runs and the Indian run machine bagged the Man of the Match award. <br /></p>AP
5/10:VIRAT-MADE INNINGS
<p>Virat Kohli missed his 48th ODI hundred by just 15 runs but he came up with one of his finest World Cup knocks, helping India recover from 2 for 3 in a chase of 200 against Australia in Chennai on October 8.<br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:COMPOSURE
<p>Virat Kohli, who scored just six boundaries in his calm and composed knock, stitched a 165-run partnership with KL Rahul for the 4th wicket to hand India a memorable win. <br /></p>AP
7/10:VIRAT'S 48TH ODI TON
<p>In Pune, Virat Kohli came up with a spectacular 103 not out (his 48th ODI century) against Bangladesh. He didn't have to wait longer to equal his childhood hero Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. <br /></p>Getty Images
8/10:VIRAT EQUALS SACHIN'S RECORD
<p>In the match against South Africa, Virat smashed 101 not out off 121 balls to silence his critics. The tally was 49 now, equal to Tendulkar's. </p>Getty Images
9/10:BIRTHDAY BOY
<p>The birthday-boy removed his helmet, raised his bat and looked up to the sky to celebrate the milestone. That was a perfect birthday gift for Virat, from Virat.<br /></p>Getty Images
10/10:VIRAT BREAKS SACHIN'S RECORD
<p>In the semifinal vs New Zealand, Virat scored his 50th ODI century. He broke Tendulkar's record in front of the master at the jam-packed and roaring Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. <br /></p>Getty ImagesVirat needs just 16 runs to go past Rahul Dravid's tally of 1252 runs. Dravid is third in the list of Indian batters with most runs against South Africa.
He also needs 70 runs to surpass Virender Sehwag in the list. With 1306 runs in 15 Tests, Sehwag is second in the list.
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is on top of the tally with 1741 runs in 25 Tests at an average of 42.46.
Virat will need to score 505 and more runs in two Tests to go on top of the tally.
