SA v IND, 1st Test: Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs by an Indian in South Africa

Star batter Virat Kohli continued his record-breaking spree in 2023 as he went past his idol Sachin Tendulkar in another elite list during the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India in Centurion. Kohli became the leading run-getter for India in South Africa across all formats, going past Sachin Tendulkar's tally on Day 3 of the first Test at SuperSport Park.

Virat Kohli, who got out for 38 in the first innings, looked solid in the second innings even as India lost early wickets after conceding a lead of 163 runs in the first innings. Kohli showcased all his experience as he held fort even as the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Yashavi Jaiswal fell early. Shreyas Iyer too did not trouble the scorers much and there was pressure on Kohli as India slipped to 72 for 4, still trailing the Proteas by 91 runs.

The former captain was fluent as he tried to put the pressure back on the South Africa pacers, who had their tails up, showing their Indian counterparts that the pitch did not ease up on Day 3. Kohli went after anything that was lose after he was handed an early life when he was dropped by Wiaan Mulder, the substitute fielder early in his innings.

Kohli focused



hard and made sure he did not miss out on a good start like he did in the first innings. The star batter was leaving well outside the off-stump and tried to resist his temptation of going after wide ones.

During the course of the knock in the second innings, Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 1724 runs across all formats for India.

MOST RUNS FOR INDIA IN SOUTH AFRICA (ALL FORMATS)

Virat Kohli - 1750* runs in 29 matches - 5 hundreds

Sachin Tendulkar - 1724 runs in 38 matches - 6 hundreds

Rahul Dravid - 1136 runs in 22 matches - 1 hundred

Sourav Ganguly - 897 runs in 17 matches - 1 hundred

MS Dhoni - 872 runs in 32 matches - 0 hundred

Virat Kohli has a sensational average of over 50 in South Africa across all formats. The former India captain tops the Indian batting charts in South Africa in ODIs with 898 runs at an average of 74.83.

Virat Kohli was the lone warrior in the second innings for India as he kept losing partners at quick succession. Kohli hit his 30th Test fifty, but India were in danger of losing the first Test by a big margin after losing 6 wickets for less than 100 runs.