In 2016, Virat Kohli led the Indian team during a Test series against New Zealand. During this series, Kohli achieved his highest score against New Zealand by hitting a double century. Current Indian coach Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay started the innings but could not provide a strong foundation, leading to early dismissals.
Kohli came in when the team was at 60/2 and formed a steady partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 43 runs before his dismissal.
Ajinkya Rahane then joined Kohli, and together they made a significant partnership of 365 runs, setting the tone for India’s innings.
Kohli aggressively faced New Zealand bowlers like Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry, registering his first double century against them.
Watch: The match where Virat Kohli hit his highest score against New Zealand in Tests
Kohli eventually scored 211 runs with twenty fours, while Rahane contributed 188 runs, including 18 fours and 4 sixes. Rohit Sharma‘s quick half-century after Kohli’s dismissal helped India post 557 runs for 5 wickets before declaring.
New Zealand’s innings began promisingly but soon faltered after their first wicket fell at 118 runs. They faced a batting collapse and struggled to 148 for 5, eventually reaching 299 runs before being bowled out, with Ashwin taking six wickets.
In India’s second innings, Pujara’s century ensured a solid score of 216 runs for 3 wickets before declaring again. New Zealand found the fourth innings even more challenging and were all out for 153 runs, giving India a 3-0 series win.
R. Ashwin received the Player of the Match award and his seventh Player of the Series award, with 27 wickets in the series.
At the end of the match, Kohli was awarded the ICC Test championship mace, a moment he celebrated with Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and other teammates.
Indian team (BCCI Photo)
In November of the same year, Gambhir played his last Test match for India against England at Rajkot, marking the Test mace as the final championship he won in his international career.