Virat Kohli can equal this Ricky Ponting batting record in India's South Africa tour

Mumbai: By clinching a 1-0 Test series win against Sri Lanka, India continued its unbeaten streak in bilateral Test series at home. With the series win, it meant that the hosts equalled Australia’s record for the most consecutive Test series wins. Under Ricky Ponting, the Aussies won 9 consecutive Test series in a row from 2005 to 2008 and Virat Kohli’s men matched the feat on Wednesday.

However, it remains to be seen whether India can replicate the same form overseas. India skipper Kohli, in fact, awaits the biggest test of his captaincy career. Apart from his leadership qualities, the high-flying South African pace attack will also put Kohli’s batting qualities to test.

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However, if he does continue his admirable form, India’s run-machine could make his way into the record books once again.

Kohli, who is leading the charts in the ICC ODI and T20 categories for batsmen, climbed to the second spot among Test batsmen on Thursday. However, taking over Smith would see Kohli claim a new record.

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Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting is the only batsman to have been at the top in all three formats at the same time, while compatriot Matthew Hayden is the other batsman to have topped all three formats.

The 29-year-old has currently been rested for the upcoming ODI and T20 series against Sri Lanka and will resume duties in January.

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Previously, the India captain was spotted leaving the country and is reportedly rumoured to tie the knot with ladylove Anushka Sharma in Italy.