Stats: Virat Kohli becomes first Indian captain to score an overseas double century
2016 is undeniably Virat Kohli’s year. The Indian captain seems intent on breaking as many records as possible and during his maiden first-class double century against West Indies in the first Test, he made history once again by breaking a 26-year-old record.
When he reached his double century, his first in not only Tests but also first-class cricket, he became the first Indian captain to score a double century away from home. Still batting on 200 at lunch, Kohli would have been looking to extend his advantage and ensure that the record that he broke, of Mohammad Azharuddin remains his for some time to come. Unfortunately he was dismissed the second ball after lunch for 200.
When the 27-year-old scored his century on day one, it was the 25th time an Indian captain to score a century away from and only the third captain after Rahul Dravid and Kapil Dev, to do so against West Indies.
Earlier on day two, Kohli overtook Rahul Dravid’s 146 and secured the highest score by an Indian captain in West Indies. But he wasn’t done there as he rose up to the top of the list before lunch on day two.
The record was earlier held by Azharuddin who scored 192 against New Zealand at Auckland in 1990, a game which eventually ended in a draw. When Kohli brought up his 150, he became only the fourth Indian captain to score a 150 away from home and it didn’t take him long to overtake Sachin Tendulkar and eventually Azharuddin to take top spot.
After his double century, the latter takes second place and third place while Tendulkar, holder of a variety of records in cricket has to be content with fourth place, courtesy of his 169 against South Africa and MAK Pataudi round off the top five.
Some legendary Indian captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and MS Dhoni don’t feature in the top ten. Here is the full list of highest scores by an Indian captain overseas.
Highest scores by an Indian captain away from home
| No. | Player | Opposition | Score |
| 1. | Virat Kohli | West Indies | 200 |
| 2. | Mohammad Azharuddin | New Zealand | 192 |
| 3. | Mohammad Azharuddin | England | 179 |
| 4. | Sachin Tendulkar | South Africa | 169 |
| 5. | MAK Pataudi | England | 148 |
| 6. | Virat Kohli | Australia | 147 |
| 7. | Rahul Dravid | West Indies | 146 |
| 8. | Sourav Ganguly | Australia | 144 |
| 9. | Sachin Tendulkar | Sri Lanka | 143 |
| 10. | Virat Kohli | Australia | 141 |
Highest scores by an Indian captain away from home (including only highest score overseas)
| No. | Player | Opposition | Score |
| 1. | Virat Kohli | West Indies | 200 |
| 2. | Mohammad Azharuddin | New Zealand | 192 |
| 3. | Sachin Tendulkar | South Africa | 169 |
| 4. | MAK Pataudi | England | 148 |
| 5. | Rahul Dravid | West Indies | 146 |
| 6. | Sourav Ganguly | Australia | 144 |
| 7. | Sunil Gavaskar | Pakistan | 127* |
| 8. | Kapil Dev | West Indies | 100* |
| 9. | MS Dhoni | South Africa | 90 |
| 10. | Vijay Hazare | England | 89 |
*All stats are accurate as of Virat Kohli’s dismissal after lunch on day two of the first Test between India and West Indies.