Sydney: Virat Kohli on Monday became the first Indian captain to register a Test series win in Australia. India and Australia played out a draw in the fourth Test after continuous rainfall over the large part of Day 4 and Day 5 affected proceedings and Australia’s chances of equalizing the series. With the anti-climax, India won the series 2-1.
In 11 previous attempts, India had only drawn a series in the longest format twice, while losing nine. Bishan Singh Bedi had led India to a series draw in 1977-78 tour, after which Sourav Ganguly had done the same in 2003-04 tour.
The 33-year old also became the first Indian captain to record two overseas series wins with victories in three matches. The right-handed batsman had previously led India to a historic whitewash against Sri Lanka in 2017. The Delhi player also became the first Indian skipper to register three Test match wins in a series outside the Asian subcontinent in 50 years. It was Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi who had done the same with a 3-1 series win against New Zealand in 1967-68.
With the win, Kohli also surpassed Ganguly as the most successful Indian captain in overseas conditions in Tests format with 12 wins to his name. He also joined the elite list comprising of Bishan Singh Bedi and Mushtaq Mohammad in becoming the most successful Asian captain in the format in Australia with three wins.
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